Comparison of biology of the Sakhalin sturgeon, Amur sturgeon, and kaluga from the Amur River, Sea of Okhotsk, and Sea of Japan biogeographic Province

Three Acipenseridae species live in the rivers and marine waters of the Khabarovsk Territory, Russia: Sakhalin sturgeon, Acipenser mikadoi, Amur sturgeon, A. schrenckii, and kaluga, Huso dauricus. We review the general biology and life history of each species, including their historic and current distributions, and examine current paleogeographic theories to outline the possible origin and evolution of these three species in the Amur River, Sea of Okhotsk, and Sea of Japan biogeographic province. Apparently, these species have evolved during distinct geologic time periods, which has reinforced the reproductive isolation of these species although hybridization does occur. They have convergently adapted to the unique environmental conditions of the Amur River and Russian Maritime regions, and yet developed behavioral adaptations to reduce competition between species. Sakhalin sturgeon is the least studied species among anadromous sturgeon in the world. This species is highly migratory and spends the majority of its life in the ocean only returning to natal rivers to spawn. Amur sturgeon and kaluga are distributed throughout the Amur River basin and the estuary and share many life history traits. They are both represented by distinct morphs. Additionally, we present size and weight relationships to estimate the growth of Amur sturgeon and kaluga. All three species have suffered declines in abundance due to over fishing and their contemporary distributions have contracted compared to their historic ranges. We identify gaps in knowledge and suggest further research useful for guiding management of each species.     

Isosmotic points and their ecological significance for juvenile Chinese sturgeon Acipenser sinensis

Serum osmolality and ion concentrations were measured in juvenile Chinese sturgeon Acipenser sinensis at different salinities to determine the isosmotic point. Isosmotic and isoionic concentrations were calculated from the regressions for serum and ambient osmolality, with Na⁺, Cl^? and K⁺ as salinities 9·19, 8·17, 7·89 and 9·70, respectively. These values were consistent with the salinity of the habitat where juvenile A. sinensis occur in the Yangtze Estuary, suggesting that an isosmotic salinity is an important factor driving their habitat choice.     

长江口水域中华鲟幼鱼与6种主要经济鱼类的食性及食物竞争

根据2004年6月至8月和2005年6月至8月在长江口崇明岛东滩水域插网所获取的鱼类样本,对东滩水域中华鲟(Acipenser sinensis)幼鱼和其它6种主要经济鱼类的食性、食物竞争状况进行了研究。结果表明:中华鲟、窄体舌鳎(Cynoglissus gracilis)为底栖生物食性;中国花鲈(Lateolabrax maculatus)为游泳生物食性;刀鲚(Coilia ectenes)和凤鲚(Coilia mystus)为浮游动物食性;鲻(Mygil cephalus)和鮻(Liza haematochiela)为腐屑(有机碎屑)食性。中华鲟幼鱼及6种主要经济鱼类食性按照相对重要性指标(IRI)大小排列:中华鲟(IRI):鱼类端足类多毛类蟹类;窄体舌鳎(IRI):虾类瓣鳃类鱼类;中国花鲈(IRI):鱼类虾类等足类蟹类;刀鲚(IRI):糠虾类虾类桡足类鱼类;凤鲚(IRI):糠虾类桡足类虾类鱼类;鲻(IRI):有机碎屑底栖藻类瓣鳃类桡足类;鮻(IRI):有机碎屑底栖藻类瓣鳃类桡足类。长江口崇明东滩中华鲟与6种经济鱼类饵料重叠系数显示,中华鲟与窄体舌鳎的饵料重叠系数达到了0.4,而与其余5种鱼类的饵料重叠系数均小于0.12。这表明窄体舌鳎对中华鲟幼鱼的食物有一定的竞争力,其余5种鱼类对中华鲟幼鱼的食物竞争强度较低。     

Acute stress response of Kootenai River white sturgeon Acipenser transmontanus Richardson reflected in peritoneal fluid and blood plasma

To evaluate whether stress-response indicators in blood plasma (BP) are similarly reflected in the peritoneal fluid (PF) white sturgeon Acipenser transmontanus were stressed by a 30 min air exposure and pH, PCO₂, osmolality, cortisol, glucose and lactate levels measured. Changes in certain stress indicators in the BP (pH, PCO₂, osmolality and glucose) also occurred in the PF, while stressor-induced changes in cortisol and lactate were restricted to the BP. Data suggest that PF is a modified ultrafiltrate of the blood and potentially a useful indicator of animal stress.     

Ontogenetic Behavior and Dispersal of Sacramento River White Sturgeon, <Emphasis Type="BoldItalic">Acipenser Transmontanus</Emphasis>, with a Note on Body Color

Synopsis We studied Sacramento River white sturgeon, Acipenser transmontanus, in the laboratory to develop a conceptual model of ontogenetic behavior and provide insight into probable behavior of wild sturgeon. After hatching, free embryos initiated a low intensity, brief downstream dispersal during which fish swam near the bottom and were photonegative. The weak, short dispersal style and behavior of white sturgeon free embryos contrasts greatly with the intense, long dispersal style and behavior (photopositive and swimming far above the bottom) of dispersing free embryos of other sturgeon species. If spawned eggs are concentrated within a few kilometers downstream of a spawning site, the adaptive significance of the free embryo dispersal is likely to move fish away from the egg deposition site to avoid predation and reduce fish density prior to feeding. Larvae foraged on the open bottom, swam <1 m above the bottom, aggregated, but did not disperse. Early juveniles initiated a strong dispersal with fish strongly vigorously swimming downstream. Duration of the juvenile dispersal is unknown, but the strong swimming likely disperses fish many kilometers. Recruitment failure in white sturgeon populations may be a mis-match between the innate fish dispersal and post-dispersal rearing habitat, which is now highly altered by damming and reservoirs. Sacramento River white sturgeon has a two-step downstream dispersal by the free embryo and juvenile life intervals. Diel activity of all life intervals peaked at night, whether fish were dispersing or foraging. Nocturnal behavior is likely a response to predation, which occurs during both activities. An intense black-tail body color was present on foraging larvae, but was weak or absent on the two life intervals that disperse. Black-tail color may be an adaptation for avoiding predation, signaling among aggregated larvae, or both, but not for dispersal.     

The status and distribution of lake sturgeon, Acipenser fulvescens, in the Canadian provinces of Manitoba, Ontario and Quebec: a genetic perspective

Genetic analysis of mitochondrial DNA sequence variation indicates that most of a sample of 396 lake sturgeon, Acipenser fulvescens, from the northern part of their range belonged to either one of two haplotypes. The vast majority of fish from the Great Lakes/St. Lawrence and Mississippi drainages were of a single haplotype while those from the Hudson/James Bay were composed of both haplotypes. This haplotypic distribution suggests that fish from one refugium (possibly Missourian) recolonized the Hudson-James Bay drainage while those from a second (possibly Mississippian) recolonized the Laurentian Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River. Lake sturgeon still inhabit much of their native postglacial distribution in Manitoba, Ontario and Quebec. However, the stresses of commercial overexploitation and habitat alteration, usually through hydroelectric dam construction and operation, have either singly or in tandem brought about the reduction, if not extirpation, of some populations within the range. The largest zone of extirpation and population reduction has occurred in the Lake Winnipeg drainage area, which covers more than one-third of Manitoba. Other areas where populations have been reduced to remnant levels, if not extirpated, include the lower Laurentian Great Lakes of Lake Ontario and Lake Erie. In northern Ontario, lake sturgeon populations whose riverine habitats have been fragmented by two or more dams are substantially reduced from their former levels. In Quebec, more attention has been paid to limiting the exploitive stresses on lake sturgeon populations. Combination of the genetic and status data suggests that both northern and southern populations of lake sturgeon (possibly from two glacial refugia) have been impacted severely from anthropogenic influences.     

The fishery,biology, and management of Atlantic sturgeon,Acipenser oxyrhynchus,in North America

Synopsis The Atlantic sturgeon supported major fisheries along the entire Atlantic coast of North America. These fisheries peaked about 1890 and then suffered almost total collapse by 1905. The Atlantic sturgeon is anadromous and highly susceptible to capture during spawning migrations. Further, this species biological characteristics makes it very vulnerable to man-induced changes in natural habitat and slow to recover. Atlantic sturgeon mature at an advanced age (7–27 year for females, depending on latitude), exhibit a long interspawning period (2–5 year), and require suitable riverine, estuarine, and coastal environments for successful completion of their life cycle. Today, only remnant stocks exist in areas of former abundance. Management regulations vary considerably from state to state and range from full protection to no protection. Biological data are needed to: identify and characterize specific spawning and nursery areas; delineate migratory patterns and recruitment to various stocks; establish stock abundance; and, assess effects of various management strategies. In order to protect remaining stocks, the imposition of a total harvesting moratorium is recommended.     

Migration and Movement Patterns of Green Sturgeon (Acipenser medirostris) in the Klamath and Trinity rivers, California, USA

Green sturgeon, Acipenser medirostris, movement and migration within the Klamath and Trinity rivers were assessed using radio and sonic telemetry. Sexually mature green sturgeon were captured with gillnets in the spring, as adults migrated upstream to spawn. In total, 49 green sturgeon were tagged with radio and/or sonic telemetry tags and tracked manually or with receiver arrays from 2002 to 2004. Tagged individuals exhibited four movement patterns: upstream spawning migration, spring outmigration to the ocean, or summer holding, and outmigration after summer holding. Spawning migrations occurred from April to June, as adults moved from the ocean upstream to spawning sites. Approximately 18% of adults, those not out mignation in the spring, made spring post-spawning outmigrations. The majority of adults, those not outmigrating in the spring, remained in discrete locations characterized as deep, low velocity pools for extended periods during the summer and early fall. Fall outmigration occurred when fish left summer holding locations, traveled rapidly downstream, and exited the river system. High river discharge due to the onset of winter rainstorms and freshets appear to be the key environmental cue instigating the fall outmigration.