Effect of environment on reproduction and growth of Mysis relicta

Published and unpublished data were examined to determine whether the time to first reproduction, brood size, and growth rate of Mysis relicta are related to environmental conditions. Time to first reproduction ranged from 1 year in eutrophic lakes to 4 years in a ultraoligotrophic lake. Mysids in nutrient-rich lakes may have 45 eggs per brood, whereas those in less productive lakes had 10-12 eggs per brood. Growth rates ranged from 1.0 to 1.5 mm/month in productive lakes to only 0.2 mm/month in ultraoligotrophic Lake Tahoe. Some differences in reproduction and growth rate consistent with the above observation occurred between areas of Lakes Tahoe and Michigan that differed in trophic conditions.