Life history and status of shortnose sturgeon (Acipenser brevirostrum) in the Potomac River

Journal of Applied Ichthyology
By:

Links

Abstract

We collected the first life history information on shortnose sturgeon (Acipenser brevirostrum) in any of the rivers to Chesapeake Bay, the geographic center of the species range. In the Potomac River, two telemetry-tagged adult females used 124 km of river: a saltwater/freshwater reach at river km (rkm) 63-141 was the foraging-wintering concentration area, and one female migrated to spawn at rkm 187 in Washington, DC. The spawning migration explained the life history context of an adult captured 122 years ago in Washington, DC, supporting the idea that a natal population once lived in the river. Repeated homing migrations to foraging and wintering areas suggested the adults were residents, not transient coastal migrants. All habitats that adults need to complete life history are present in the river. The Potomac River shortnose sturgeon offers a rare opportunity to learn about the natural rebuilding of a sturgeon population.
Publication type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Title Life history and status of shortnose sturgeon (Acipenser brevirostrum) in the Potomac River
Series title Journal of Applied Ichthyology
DOI 10.1111/j.1439-0426.2009.01224.x
Volume 25
Issue 2
Year Published 2009
Language English
Contributing office(s) Leetown Science Center
Larger Work Type Article
Larger Work Subtype Journal Article
Larger Work Title Journal of Applied Ichthyology
First page 34
Last page 38
Country United States
Google Analytic Metrics Metrics page
Additional publication details