Lake Crescent cutthroat trout
Encyclopedia
Crescenti cutthroat trout (a hypercorrection
) or Lake Crescent cutthroat trout (a more literal translation of the scientific name Oncorhynchus clarki clarki f. crescentii) is a local form (f. loc.) of Coastal cutthroat trout
isolated in Lake Crescent
in Washington and is not currently recognized as an official subspecies (Behnke 1992). However the cutthroat trout
of Lake Crescent do remain distinct, with the highest known gill raker and vertebrae counts of any coastal cutthroat population. The cutthroat are believed to have been isolated
in Lake Crescent after a landslide
blocked the eastern outflow of the lake.
Before the introduction of non-native trout to the lake, these fish co-existed with the lake's population of coastal rainbow trout
known as Beardslee trout
. The cutthroat mostly used the lake's inlet stream Barnes Creek
for spawning
, while the rainbow trout used the Lyre River
for spawning. However in the early 1980s a small cutthroat population was found in the Lyre River that spawns further downstream than the native rainbow trout. Today the cutthroat of Barnes Creek have been hybridized with introduced rainbow into cutbow
s, but Crescenti cutthroat trout persist in the Lyre River as a genetically pure population (Behnke 1992). A Crescenti cutthroat caught in 1961 set the state record for cutthroats at 32 inches (81 cm) and 12 pounds (5.4 kg).
Hypercorrection
In linguistics or usage, hypercorrection is a non-standard usage that results from the over-application of a perceived rule of grammar or a usage prescription...
) or Lake Crescent cutthroat trout (a more literal translation of the scientific name Oncorhynchus clarki clarki f. crescentii) is a local form (f. loc.) of Coastal cutthroat trout
Coastal cutthroat trout
The coastal cutthroat trout also known as the sea run cutthroat, or harvest trout are a subspecies of cutthroat trout with an anadromous life history....
isolated in Lake Crescent
Lake Crescent
Lake Crescent is a deep lake located entirely within Olympic National Park in Clallam County, Washington, United States, approximately west of Port Angeles, Washington on U.S. Route 101 and nearby to the small community of Piedmont...
in Washington and is not currently recognized as an official subspecies (Behnke 1992). However the cutthroat trout
Cutthroat trout
The cutthroat trout is a species of freshwater fish in the salmon family of order Salmoniformes. It is one of the many fish species colloquially known as trout...
of Lake Crescent do remain distinct, with the highest known gill raker and vertebrae counts of any coastal cutthroat population. The cutthroat are believed to have been isolated
Reproductive isolation
The mechanisms of reproductive isolation or hybridization barriers are a collection of mechanisms, behaviors and physiological processes that prevent the members of two different species that cross or mate from producing offspring, or which ensure that any offspring that may be produced is not...
in Lake Crescent after a landslide
Landslide
A landslide or landslip is a geological phenomenon which includes a wide range of ground movement, such as rockfalls, deep failure of slopes and shallow debris flows, which can occur in offshore, coastal and onshore environments...
blocked the eastern outflow of the lake.
Before the introduction of non-native trout to the lake, these fish co-existed with the lake's population of coastal rainbow trout
Rainbow trout
The rainbow trout is a species of salmonid native to tributaries of the Pacific Ocean in Asia and North America. The steelhead is a sea run rainbow trout usually returning to freshwater to spawn after 2 to 3 years at sea. In other words, rainbow trout and steelhead trout are the same species....
known as Beardslee trout
Beardslee trout
Beardslee trout are a local form of Rainbow trout endemic to Lake Crescent in Washington. By some sources, they are treated as a subspecies....
. The cutthroat mostly used the lake's inlet stream Barnes Creek
Barnes Creek (Washington)
Barnes Creek is a small stream that flows in the U.S. state of Washington from the base of Mount Storm King and Aurora Ridge into Lake Crescent. Barnes Creek is also fed by Marymere Falls. Barnes Creek sustains the spawning habitat for the endemic Crescenti cutthroat trout...
for spawning
Spawn (biology)
Spawn refers to the eggs and sperm released or deposited, usually into water, by aquatic animals. As a verb, spawn refers to the process of releasing the eggs and sperm, also called spawning...
, while the rainbow trout used the Lyre River
Lyre River
The Lyre River is a river in Washington, USA that flows out of Lake Crescent in the Olympic National Park and into the Strait of Juan de Fuca. Originally referred to as "singing waters" by the Indians living near it, the river was first named Rio de Cuesta by Europeans in 1790 by Gonzalo López de...
for spawning. However in the early 1980s a small cutthroat population was found in the Lyre River that spawns further downstream than the native rainbow trout. Today the cutthroat of Barnes Creek have been hybridized with introduced rainbow into cutbow
Cutbow
A Cutbow is a fertile hybrid between a rainbow trout and a cutthroat trout . While cutbow hybrids may occur naturally, most native populations of rainbows and cutthroats were separated by geography or habitat...
s, but Crescenti cutthroat trout persist in the Lyre River as a genetically pure population (Behnke 1992). A Crescenti cutthroat caught in 1961 set the state record for cutthroats at 32 inches (81 cm) and 12 pounds (5.4 kg).