Inconnu (Stenodus Leucichthys MacKenzii) In Great Slave Lake and adjoining waters
Date
1947-04
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
ORCID
Type
Degree Level
Masters
Abstract
The inconnu, Stenodus leucichthys mackenzii Richardson, is a fish
found in the Arctic Ocean off the coast of North America, and in
some of the rivers which flow into it. It has been known to science
since 1823 when Richardson first nublished a description of specimens
caught in the Mackenzie basin. Even before this time, however, it
was well known to the French-Canadian fur traders who spoke of it
as a "poisson inconnu". Mention has also been made of this fish in
the narratives of Mackenzie (1801) and Hearne (1795), the latter
being the first to record its presence in Great Slave Lake.
Although the.fish has been known and used as food for
more than 150 years, very little has been learned concerning the
details of its life history. Published accounts have dealt mainly
with the distribution. Some details of taxonomy and life history were
given by Dymond (1943). The inconnu made up about 5 per cent of
the commercial catch in Great Slave Lake in 1945 and 1946 and is of
considerable importance to the native population, therefore when the
Fisheries Research Board of Canada undertook an investigation of the
fresh water biology and fisheries of Great Slave Lake, one of the
problems chosen for special investigation was a study of the
inconnu. The survey occupied three seasons of approximately four months duration. Each season routine examinations of inconnu
were made. This included the recording of fork and standard lengths,
weight and sex, examination of stomach contents, collection of
parasites and taking of scale samples. In October of 1945 individuals
returning from the spawning grounds on Big Buffalo River were examined
by Mr. P. A. Larkin whose notes have proved to be very valuable. In
1946, measurements and counts of body parts of a number of inconnu
were made, and the writer, accompanied by .R. E. McFadden, made a trip
by canoe to Big Buffalo Lake which was thought to be a spawning ground
of this fish.
These data were suplemented by a daily census of the catch
of individual fishermen carrying on commercial fishing operations,
and by concerning the native population. The latter source provided
information concerning the domestic consumption as well as information and misinformation concerning certain phases of the life history.
Description
Keywords
Citation
Degree
Master of Science (M.Sc.)
Department
Biology
Program
Biology