D. Secor, M. O’Brien, N. Coleman, A. Horne, I. Park, D. Kazyak, D. Bruce, C. Stence
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引用次数: 0
Abstract
Abstract Biotelemetry of Atlantic sturgeon Acipenser oxyrinchus oxyrinchus has exposed spawning behaviors in ever-smaller estuaries, surprising for the NW Atlantic’s largest anadromous species. Small estuary — the Nanticoke River and Marshyhope Creek (Chesapeake Bay) — spawning-run adults and their habitat affinities are described based upon direct sampling and biotelemetry for the period 2014–2018. High rates of recapture over this period indicate a very small adult population size. Genetics revealed a very small effective population size (N e = 12.2, 95% CI = 6.7–21.9). Most returns occurred during September at 20–27 °C. All fish departed as fall temperatures declined below 20 °C. Multi-beam sonar identified small-dispersed areas of sand-cobble and cobble, which could support adhesive embryo attachment. Movements of adults were higher during nighttime than daytime, with habitat preference for hard bottom habitats. Genetic evidence indicates that the sudden discovery of this population was unrelated to a hatchery release of several thousand juvenile sturgeon (Hudson River progeny) in 1997. The newly discovered population in the Nanticoke River exhibits a degree of resilience including multiple spawning regions and suitable spawning habitat. Still, critical vulnerabilities persist including curtailed habitat, continued agricultural and maritime development, invasive blue catfish, and a very small apparent population size. Supplemental data for this article is available online at https://doi.org/10.1080/23308249.2021.1924617
期刊介绍:
Reviews in Fisheries Science & Aquaculture provides an important forum for the publication of up-to-date reviews covering a broad range of subject areas including management, aquaculture, taxonomy, behavior, stock identification, genetics, nutrition, and physiology. Issues concerning finfish and aquatic invertebrates prized for their economic or recreational importance, their value as indicators of environmental health, or their natural beauty are addressed. An important resource that keeps you apprised of the latest changes in the field, each issue of Reviews in Fisheries Science & Aquaculture presents useful information to fisheries and aquaculture scientists in academia, state and federal natural resources agencies, and the private sector.