What term describes the American eel's life cycle of living in freshwater and spawning in saltwater?
Answer
Catadromous existence
The American eel is defined by its catadromous existence, meaning it spends the majority of its life in fresh water before migrating to the sea to reproduce, a characteristic that sets it apart from relatives like salmon.
Related Questions
What term describes the American eel's life cycle of living in freshwater and spawning in saltwater?Where does the entire adult population of the American eel migrate to spawn and subsequently die?While the American eel's body appears scaleless, what is factually true about its scales?What is the name given to the tiny larvae of the American eel that drift on ocean currents after hatching?During which life stage does the American eel spend the majority of its life, sometimes for decades, growing and feeding in rivers?Which physiological change occurs in the silver eel stage, preparing it for the oceanic migration?Besides swimming upstream, what unique method can American eels employ to bypass short, low barriers or reach isolated ponds?In their yellow eel stage, what is the primary ecological role of the American eel in freshwater ecosystems?Beyond the Atlantic coastal river systems, where else in North America can American eels be found, demonstrating their upstream adaptability?What is cited as a major factor severely impacting the American eel population by restricting movement between feeding grounds and spawning grounds?