Stock and parental effects on the early life history of winter flounder (Pseudopleuronectes americanus)

Geographically separated winter flounder (Pseudopleuronectes americanus) populations in the northwest Atlantic Ocean are both phenotypically and genetically distinct. A hierarchical breeding design using eggs from Passamaquoddy Bay females was used to 1) determine if fish sired by Georges Bank males grew faster than fish sired by Passamaquoddy Bay males and 2) to examine parental contributions to variations in growth and performance during early life history stages. Mixed-model nested ANOVAs revealed that larvae sired by Georges Bank males grew faster than those sired by Passamaquoddy Bay males and that maternal, paternal, and parental interactions all contributed to growth and survival during early life history. Results will be discussed with reference to winter flounder genetic variation in the wild and development of this species for aquaculture