Not to be confused with the popular internet phone/video chat platform of a similar name, kypes are hook like structure that develops on the jaw of some male salmonids during the spawning season. Though Skype for salmon is still far fetched, this secondary sex characteristic does, in fact, have a role in communicating sexual fitness. Research suggests … [Read more…]
Phenology is the study of seasonal or periodic cycles in ecosystems. It is, essentially, “nature’s calendar.” For fish, phenology is often linked to timing of important life events such as spawning, migrations, and hatching. These events are triggered by non-biological factors like day length, temperature, and precipitation. If the timing of the main “cue” shifts, … [Read more…]