Migration and life history variation in Arctic charr, Salvelinus alpinus

:Migratory and non-migratory forms have been observed in many salmonoid fishes including Arctic salmonids and coregonids. To test the hypothesis that migratory populations of Arctic charr, Salvelinus alpinus, have higher age at maturity, age-specific fecundity, greater longevity and greater size at age than non-migratory forms, we surveyed the published literature. The mean fork length at age 5 did not differ significantly between the two forms. However, migratory charr had significantly higher age at maturity and fecundity, attained greater size at age 5 and lived longer than non-migratory charr. Latitude had no significant effect on age at maturity and fecundity. When accounting for the effect of latitude on longevity and size at age 5, ANCOVA shows that migratory charr attained greater size at age 5 and lived longer. Age at maturity and fecundity were significantly correlated as were age at maturity and longevity. Size at age 5 was correlated with longevity and fecundity. Fecundity and longevity were not correlated nor were age at maturity and size at age 5. Our results support the hypothesis that Arctic charr have a clear life history dichotomy with migratory forms maturing at older ages, having higher fecundity and greater longevity.