Lake sturgeon Acipenser fulvescens and shovelnose sturgeon Scaphirhynchus platorynchus environmental life history revealed using pectoral fin‐ray microchemistry: implications for interjurisdictional conservation through fishery closure zones

Abstract

This study inferred that the majority of shovelnose sturgeon Scaphirhynchus platorynchus captured in the upper Mississippi River probably originated from locations outside the upper Mississippi River (Missouri River, middle Mississippi River); whereas, lake sturgeon Acipenser fulvescens exhibit infrequent movement outside of the upper Mississippi River, but may move throughout these interconnected large rivers at various life stages. By using pectoral fin-ray microchemistry (a non-lethal alternative to using otoliths), it is suggest that interjurisdictional cooperation will probably be needed to ensure sustainability of the S. platorynchus commercial fishery and the success of A. fulvescens reintroduction in the upper Mississippi River. Additionally, fin-ray microchemistry can provide invaluable data to make informed management decisions regarding large river fishes, that cross jurisdictional boundaries or that move outside of closure zones, without causing further mortality to compromised fish populations (e.g. threatened and endangered species).

Natal environments of age‐0 paddlefish in the middle Mississippi River inferred from dentary microchemistry

“…Primary contributions of age‐0 paddlefish from their river of capture (MMR) and a connected large river (MOR), with little contribution from smaller tributaries is a consistent phenomenon among large river specialist species (Laughlin, Whitledge, Oliver, & Rude, ; Phelps et al, ; Phelps, Hupfeld, & Whitledge, ; Porreca et al, ; Pracheil, McIntyre, & Lyons, ). Large tributaries (>166 m 3 /s), like the MOR to the MMR, can represent nearly all of the species richness present in the main river (Pracheil, McIntyre, & Lyons, ).…”

“…In particular, knowledge of geographic areas that contribute recruits to adult stocks and dispersal patterns of fish from natal environments is fundamental to understanding riverine fish metapopulations (Hanski & Gilpin, ) and identifying relevant spatial scales for population assessment (Cooke et al, ). Many adult large‐bodied riverine species migrate long distances for reproduction and foraging (Phelps, Hupfeld, & Whitledge, ; Porreca et al, ; Pracheil, Pegg, Powell, & Mestl, ; Tripp et al, ; Tripp, Brooks, Herzog, & Garvey, ). However, knowledge of spawning locations and subsequent natal dispersal and habitat use by young of year is often limited, despite their importance for informing efforts to maintain or rehabilitate habitats (e.g., locations with suitable depth, flow, and substrate for spawning or habitats conducive to growth and survival of age‐0 fish; Phelps et al, ) and connectivity between those habitats that collectively support recruitment in riverine fish populations.…”

Application of the analysis of trace elements composition for calcified structures of fish to solve fundamental and applied scientific tasks: a review

“…Метод позволяет установить происхождение особей из определенного района и проводить онтогенетические реконструкции условий их обитания, что используется не только для детерминации локальных стад и анализа миграций, но и в других направлениях. Например, метод применяется для определения наиболее значимых районов на отдельных стадиях жизненного цикла рыб -раннего развития, нереста, зимовки и нагула [Carlson et al, 2017;Phelps et al, 2017;Artetxe-Arrate et al, 2019], дифференциации рыб естественного происхождения от особей, выращенных в условиях аквакультуры [Arechavala-Lopez et al, 2016;Loeppky et al, 2020], экотоксикологических исследований [Hansson et al, 2020], идентификации источников загрязнения водной среды [Scholes et al, 2016;Andronis et al, 2017], анализа путей миграции и районов воспроизводства инвазивных видов [Thibault et al, 2010;Blair, Hicks, 2012], анализа роста [Ryan et al, 2019], идентификации возраста и т.д.…”

Identification of Hatchery‐Reared Lake Sturgeon Using Natural Elemental Signatures and Elemental Marking of Fin Rays

“…Unlike otoliths, fin rays can be removed nonlethally, making them attractive for assessing at-risk populations (Collins and Smith 1996;Bruch et al 2009;Wolff et al 2013). As such, fin rays are commonly removed from sturgeon species to assess age and growth (Cuerrier 1951;Rien and Beamesderfer 1994;Bruch 1999;Parsons et al 2003;Koch et al 2008;Bruch et al 2009;McDougall et al 2018;Steffensen and Hamel 2018) as well as to ascertain information on habitat use and movement (Veinott and Evans 1999;Arai et al 2002;Allen et al 2009Allen et al , 2018bPhelps et al 2012Phelps et al , 2017Pracheil et al 2014Pracheil et al , 2019. Fin rays are the structural components of fish fins and are primarily composed of calcium phosphate (Ca 3 [PO 4 ] 2 ) mineralized as hydroxyapatite (Tzadik et al 2017a).…”