Periodicity in Atlantic salmon Salmo salar L. smolt migration

Abstract

Behavioural and physiological mechanisms postulated for the control of downstream migration of Atlantic salmon smolts are reviewed briefly, and some new evidence is presented for their refusal to undergo sustained swimming. Although these mechanisms imply passive displacement as the primary means of emigration, it is likely that active components must also exist as the rates of travel of smolts through loch systems are only slightly slower than those recorded for river systems. The timing of these movements within 24 h periods is reviewed and it is shown that the predominantly nocturnal emigration pattern is evident on occasions in alevin, fry and parr stages also. Thus at migration the diel periodicity probably represents a seasonal locomotor rhythm which, under changed behavioural and physiological circumstances, results in downstream displacement.