Density-dependence of growth characteristics and maturation in stream-dwelling resident brown trout, Salmo trutta, in Serbia

ABSTRACT

Abstract Breakpoints in both length and weight that represent the onset of first maturation, revealed that growth and maturation were correlated with density-related parameters in stream-dwelling resident brown trout, Salmo trutta L., from nine different rivers in Serbia. The determination of density dependence of growth is not simple, as both river width and depth, as single variables of habitat and relative biomass, and density were not significantly correlated with breakpoints. The significant relationship between breakpoints and the mean weight of brown trout (x_p) suggests that differences in breakpoints were inversely related to brown trout density. The implications of density dependence for management of streams holding resident brown trout are discussed.