title: 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).
authors.affiliation: Big Rivers and Wetlands Field Station, Missouri Department of Conservation, 3815 East Jackson Boulevard, Jackson, MO, 63755, U.S.A.
authors.forename: Q E
authors.initials: QE
authors.lastname: Phelps
authors.affiliation: Southeast Missouri State University, Biology Department, One University Plaza, Cape Girardeau, MO, 63701, U.S.A.|Missouri River Fisheries Management Office, Iowa Department of Natural Resources, 21914 Park Loop, Onawa, IA, 51040, U.S.A.
authors.forename: R N
authors.initials: RN
authors.lastname: Hupfeld
authors.affiliation: Center for Fisheries, Aquaculture and Aquatic Sciences, Southern Illinois University, 1125 Lincoln Drive, Carbondale, IL, 62901, U.S.A.
authors.forename: G W
authors.initials: GW
authors.lastname: Whitledge
mesh_terms: D063147:Animal Distribution; D058500:Animal Fins / Q000737:chemistry*; D000818:Animals; D003247:Conservation of Natural Resources; D005398:Fisheries / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D005399:Fishes / Q000254:growth & development / Q000502:physiology*; D060106:Lakes / Q000737:chemistry; D008018:Life Cycle Stages; D008832:Microchemistry; D045483:Rivers / Q000737:chemistry
keywords: Acipenser fulvescens; Mississippi River; Scaphirhynchus platorynchus; fin ray; migration; movement