Distribution of Gulf of Mexico Sturgeon in Relation to Benthic Invertebrate Prey Resources and Environmental Parameters in the Suwannee River Estuary, Florida

Harris, Julianne E.; Parkyn, Daryl C.; Murie, Debra J.

doi:10.1577/t04-100.1

Cited by 32 publications

(42 citation statements)

References 36 publications

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“…Our data on the reduced macrobenthic density assemblages indicates comparatively high mean values of 16 801 m −2 by station across the study area (see Table S1 for details by zone and season). Harris et al (2005) and Sulak et al (2009) indicated that areas with high benthic density serve as a proxy for detecting critical Gulf sturgeon feeding habitat, and our data support this assertion. However, macrobenthic density patterns were spatially variable even within a single coastal system like the Pascagoula River estuary, as ranked group macrobenthic similarity patterns and associated HMD indices indicated that west zone assemblages were more similar and less dispersed compared to east zones.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 79%

“…Similar macrobenthic spatial patterns were noted by Fox et al (2002) among stations within Choctawhatchee Bay, Florida, with clear east and west bay patterns. Harris et al (2005) also documented high macrobenthic density in outer Suwannee Sound compared to the Suwannee River passes in late spring.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 84%

“…We did not collect some taxa suggested as primary or major prey items of eastern populations, although sampling gears were generally similar. The most parsimonious explanation is that the environments sampled among nearby (Ross et al 2009) and distant areas (Huff 1975, Mason & Clugston 1993, Brooks & Sulak 2005, Harris et al 2005, Nellis et al 2007) clearly differed in sediment composition, water currents, and wave energy as well as different time windows of seasonal sampling, which may have driven those differences.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…It is clear, however, that diets vary ontogenetically (Huff 1975, Mason & Clugston 1993 across their range because of zoogeographic differences in prey distribution (Parauka et al 2011), as well as water depth and sediment composition (Fox et al 2002, Harris et al 2005. Moreover, quantifying benthic resource distribution coupled with sediment characteristics are surrogate approaches used to identify primary sturgeon foraging areas (Fox et al 2002, Brooks & Sulak 2005, Harris et al 2005, Nellis et al 2007, Ross et al 2009). These data suggest that Gulf sturgeon, like most sturgeon, are opportunistic benthic foragers (Huff 1975, Miller 2004, Vecsei & Peterson 2004, Parauka et al 2011) as Breder (1929 showed in his detailed description of sturgeon foraging behavior.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Macrobenthic prey and physical habitat characteristics in a western Gulf sturgeon population: differential estuarine habitat use patterns

Peterson¹,

Havrylkoff²,

Grammer³

et al. 2013

Endang. Species. Res.

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Gulf sturgeon Acipenser oxyrinchus desotoi is listed as 'threatened' under the US Endangered Species Act throughout its range in the northern Gulf of Mexico, with Mobile Bay, Alabama, USA, as the recognized break between eastern and western populations. Population recovery requires protection of the species and its critical habitat. We examined Gulf sturgeon physical habitat attributes and infaunal macrobenthic prey density and composition both spatially and seasonally relative to acoustically tagged Gulf sturgeon occurrence in the Pascagoula River estuary. Gulf sturgeon occupancy patterns indicated that adults move quickly through the system during fall and spring compared to longer but more spatially and temporally variable occupancy for juveniles and sub-adults in both seasons; sub-adults exhibited a less spatially and temporally variable occupancy pattern. We found significant differences in physical habitat and macrobenthic density characteristics that partially explained Gulf sturgeon spatial and temporal occupancy patterns. Direct comparisons of physical drivers (% silt, depth, particulate organic carbon) and macrobenthic density patterns (BEST procedures) were significantly correlated (p < 0.01) but weak (global R = 0.277) and suggest alternate hypotheses to better explain the differential estuarine habitat use patterns. The most parsimonious explanation with multiple weights-of-evidence suggests reduced use of the eastern distributary habitat by Gulf sturgeon based on synergistic effects of urbanization and industrialization such as bulkheading, channelization, dredging and related maintenance activities, and beach re-nourishment, all of which occur almost exclusively in the east zone of the estuary.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 79%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 84%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Macrobenthic prey and physical habitat characteristics in a western Gulf sturgeon population: differential estuarine habitat use patterns

Peterson¹,

Havrylkoff²,

Grammer³

et al. 2013

Endang. Species. Res.

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“…During each trial, an individual naïve white sturgeon (mean length ¼ 49.6 6 4 cm FL; mean weight ¼ 18.1 6 0.47 kg) was stocked and confined to the downstream half of the raceway equipped with the electrical sea lion barrier system and four PIT tag antennas; the fish was allowed to acclimate for 24 h. Fish were confined to ensure that initial fish movement would mimic important upstream migration patterns commonly observed for spawning (Bemis and Kynard 1997;Pavlov et al 2001;Brunch and Binkowski 2002;Hatin et al 2002) and feeding (Bajkov 1951;Sulak and Randall 2002;Harris et al 2005;Ruban 2005). After the 24-h acclimation period, the fish was released from confinement within the raceway with the electric system turned off.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Behavioral and Physiological Response of White Sturgeon to an Electrical Sea Lion Barrier System

et al. 2009

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Action agencies have encouraged the development of a modified electrical fish barrier system to deter upstream movements of California sea lions Zalophus californianus as a means to reduce their predation on returning adult Pacific salmon Oncorhynchus spp. within rivers along the West Coast of North America. Given that the barrier system does not discriminate which species will experience electrical shock, we studied the potential effects of the sea lion barrier on the survival, behavior, physiology, and injury of white sturgeon Acipenser transmontanus. Fish subjected to acute electroshock had high survival (100%). Conversely, fish that became entrained within the electric field and therefore experienced chronic electroshock had lower survival (93%). White sturgeon altered their behavior by spending significantly more time avoiding the area over the barrier when electrical power was applied as compared with controls. Fish that experienced acute electroshock spent more time remaining motionless, presumably recovering from physiological disturbance. Our results indicate that white sturgeon had significantly higher plasma lactate than controls and that lactate remained at elevated levels for at least 4 h after electroshock. Plasma glucose, ion concentrations (chloride, sodium, and potassium), and indicators of cell damage (plasma hemoglobin and enzyme activity of aspartate transaminase) did not differ between electroshocked fish and controls. We did not observe any notable hemorrhages or notochord injuries in white sturgeon that experienced electrical shock. Our results suggest that the location for the electrical barrier system should be rigorously examined before barrier deployment and that the dates, frequency, and duration of use should be further refined to ensure that negative effects on nontarget species such as white sturgeon are minimized.

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Environmental Drivers of Adult Atlantic Sturgeon Movement and Residency in the Delaware Bay

2018

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Animals utilize various habitats throughout their life to optimize growth, fitness, and survival. Identifying environmental conditions and locations where animals exhibit different movement behaviors can be used to infer the relative importance of habitat types. In the case of threatened and endangered species, such as the Atlantic Sturgeon Acipenser oxyrinchus oxyrinchus, critical habitat designations are a tool used to promote conservation and recovery. We utilized an extensive passive acoustic telemetry array, observed atmospheric conditions and river flow, modeled seawater conditions, and used generalized additive mixed modeling to determine environmental predictors of Atlantic Sturgeon movement and residency in the Delaware Bay on the U.S. East Coast. Our results suggested that shallower waters, warmer bottom temperatures, and areas toward the eastern portion of the Delaware Bay were predictive of residency, while movement was predicted by increased depth, cooler bottom temperatures, and areas toward the western portion of the bay. Our findings add to a growing body of evidence highlighting habitats at the Delaware Bay mouth, where Atlantic Sturgeon occur at heightened concentrations from late spring through fall. The Delaware River estuary once supported the largest population of Atlantic Sturgeon in North America, but that population is now critically imperiled (or endangered). Atlantic Sturgeon spend the vast majority of their life in marine, polyhaline waters, and without enhanced protection for these habitats, their recovery may never be realized.

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Distribution of Gulf of Mexico Sturgeon in Relation to Benthic Invertebrate Prey Resources and Environmental Parameters in the Suwannee River Estuary, Florida

Abstract: The distribution of threatened Gulf of Mexico sturgeon Acipenser oxyrinchus desotoi

Cited by 32 publications

References 36 publications

Macrobenthic prey and physical habitat characteristics in a western Gulf sturgeon population: differential estuarine habitat use patterns

Macrobenthic prey and physical habitat characteristics in a western Gulf sturgeon population: differential estuarine habitat use patterns

Behavioral and Physiological Response of White Sturgeon to an Electrical Sea Lion Barrier System

Environmental Drivers of Adult Atlantic Sturgeon Movement and Residency in the Delaware Bay

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