Dual Annual Spawning Races in Atlantic Sturgeon

Atlantic sturgeon (Acipenser oxyrinchus oxyrinchus, Acipenseridae) populations in the United States were listed as either endangered or threatened under the Endangered Species Act in 2012. Because of the endangered/threatened status, a better understanding of Atlantic sturgeon life-history behavior...

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Published in:PloS one Vol. 10; no. 5; p. e0128234
Main Authors: Balazik, Matthew T., Musick, John A.
Format: Journal Article
Language:English
Published: United States Public Library of Science 28.05.2015
Public Library of Science (PLoS)
Subjects:
Acipenser oxyrinchus
Acipenser oxyrinchus oxyrinchus
Acipenseridae
Animals
Atlantic sturgeon
Conservation
Conservation of Natural Resources
Endangered & extinct species
Endangered Species
Female
Fish
Fishery conservation
Fishes - physiology
Habitat utilization
Life history
Male
New combinations
Population status
Populations
Reproduction - physiology
Rivers
Spawning
Sturgeon
Telemetry
Threatened species
United States
Wildlife conservation
United States
ISSN:1932-6203, 1932-6203
Online Access:Get full text
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Summary:Atlantic sturgeon (Acipenser oxyrinchus oxyrinchus, Acipenseridae) populations in the United States were listed as either endangered or threatened under the Endangered Species Act in 2012. Because of the endangered/threatened status, a better understanding of Atlantic sturgeon life-history behavior and habitat use is important for effective management. It has been widely documented that Atlantic sturgeon reproduction occurs from late winter to early summer, varying clinally with latitude. However, recent data show Atlantic sturgeon also spawn later in the year. The group that spawns later in the year seems to be completely separate from the spring spawning run. Recognition of the later spawning season has drastically modified estimates of the population status of Atlantic sturgeon in Virginia. With the combination of new telemetry data and historical documentation we describe a dual spawning strategy that likely occurs in various degrees along most, if not all, of the Atlantic sturgeon's range. Using new data combined with historical sources, a new spawning strategy emerges which managers and researchers should note when determining the status of Atlantic sturgeon populations and implementing conservation measures.
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Conceived and designed the experiments: MTB. Performed the experiments: MTB. Analyzed the data: MTB. Contributed reagents/materials/analysis tools: MTB JAM. Wrote the paper: MTB JAM.
Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.
ISSN:1932-6203
1932-6203
DOI:10.1371/journal.pone.0128234