Physical characteristics and simulated transport of pallid sturgeon and shovelnose sturgeon eggs

The imperiled pallid sturgeon (Scaphirhynchus albus) and closely related, but more common, shovelnose sturgeon (S. platorynchus) are believed to broadcast adhesive, demersal eggs in the current and over coarse substrate in turbid rivers of the North American midcontinent. It has been hypothesized th...

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Main Authors: Kimberly A. Chojnacki, Susannah O. Erwin, Amy E. George, James S. Candrl, Robert B. Jacobson, Aaron J. DeLonay
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Taylor & Francis Group 2020-12-01
Series:Journal of Freshwater Ecology
Subjects:
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/02705060.2020.1736191
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spelling doaj-95fa3868d7a0467ba7e8b306c233c12f2021-01-04T17:35:54ZengTaylor & Francis GroupJournal of Freshwater Ecology0270-50602156-69412020-12-01351739410.1080/02705060.2020.17361911736191Physical characteristics and simulated transport of pallid sturgeon and shovelnose sturgeon eggsKimberly A. Chojnacki0Susannah O. Erwin1Amy E. George2James S. Candrl3Robert B. Jacobson4Aaron J. DeLonay5U.S. Geological Survey, Columbia Environmental Research CenterU.S. Geological Survey, Columbia Environmental Research CenterU.S. Geological Survey, Columbia Environmental Research CenterU.S. Geological Survey, Columbia Environmental Research CenterU.S. Geological Survey, Columbia Environmental Research CenterU.S. Geological Survey, Columbia Environmental Research CenterThe imperiled pallid sturgeon (Scaphirhynchus albus) and closely related, but more common, shovelnose sturgeon (S. platorynchus) are believed to broadcast adhesive, demersal eggs in the current and over coarse substrate in turbid rivers of the North American midcontinent. It has been hypothesized that eggs settle immediately following fertilization, but field conditions preclude direct observation. We conducted laboratory studies to characterize the diameter, shape, settling velocity, and specific gravity of pallid sturgeon and shovelnose sturgeon eggs. Based on these laboratory measurements, we then modeled the potential fate of pallid sturgeon eggs by considering these physical properties in the context of two field sites where spawning has occurred. Although eggs of pallid sturgeon and shovelnose sturgeon were of a similar size and shape, shovelnose sturgeon eggs had slightly higher specific gravity and settling velocity. For representative hydraulic conditions at documented spawning sites in the mainstem Missouri and Lower Yellowstone Rivers, eggs of both species will likely be concentrated near the bed although some eggs may be distributed throughout the water column. Simulations of egg transport indicate that eggs may be transported up to several hundred meters downstream from spawning locations in the approximate length of time required for eggs to become adhesive. Estimates of egg transport presented here rely on simplifying assumptions about river hydraulics and limited understanding of how eggs interact with the complex substrates and flow near the bed; results highlight the need for additional studies to evaluate the fate of eggs and fertilized embryos of both species.http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/02705060.2020.1736191sturgeonpallid sturgeonegg characteristicsegg specific gravityegg transportegg dispersalspawning habitat
collection DOAJ
language English
format Article
sources DOAJ
author Kimberly A. Chojnacki
Susannah O. Erwin
Amy E. George
James S. Candrl
Robert B. Jacobson
Aaron J. DeLonay
spellingShingle Kimberly A. Chojnacki
Susannah O. Erwin
Amy E. George
James S. Candrl
Robert B. Jacobson
Aaron J. DeLonay
Physical characteristics and simulated transport of pallid sturgeon and shovelnose sturgeon eggs
Journal of Freshwater Ecology
sturgeon
pallid sturgeon
egg characteristics
egg specific gravity
egg transport
egg dispersal
spawning habitat
author_facet Kimberly A. Chojnacki
Susannah O. Erwin
Amy E. George
James S. Candrl
Robert B. Jacobson
Aaron J. DeLonay
author_sort Kimberly A. Chojnacki
title Physical characteristics and simulated transport of pallid sturgeon and shovelnose sturgeon eggs
title_short Physical characteristics and simulated transport of pallid sturgeon and shovelnose sturgeon eggs
title_full Physical characteristics and simulated transport of pallid sturgeon and shovelnose sturgeon eggs
title_fullStr Physical characteristics and simulated transport of pallid sturgeon and shovelnose sturgeon eggs
title_full_unstemmed Physical characteristics and simulated transport of pallid sturgeon and shovelnose sturgeon eggs
title_sort physical characteristics and simulated transport of pallid sturgeon and shovelnose sturgeon eggs
publisher Taylor & Francis Group
series Journal of Freshwater Ecology
issn 0270-5060
2156-6941
publishDate 2020-12-01
description The imperiled pallid sturgeon (Scaphirhynchus albus) and closely related, but more common, shovelnose sturgeon (S. platorynchus) are believed to broadcast adhesive, demersal eggs in the current and over coarse substrate in turbid rivers of the North American midcontinent. It has been hypothesized that eggs settle immediately following fertilization, but field conditions preclude direct observation. We conducted laboratory studies to characterize the diameter, shape, settling velocity, and specific gravity of pallid sturgeon and shovelnose sturgeon eggs. Based on these laboratory measurements, we then modeled the potential fate of pallid sturgeon eggs by considering these physical properties in the context of two field sites where spawning has occurred. Although eggs of pallid sturgeon and shovelnose sturgeon were of a similar size and shape, shovelnose sturgeon eggs had slightly higher specific gravity and settling velocity. For representative hydraulic conditions at documented spawning sites in the mainstem Missouri and Lower Yellowstone Rivers, eggs of both species will likely be concentrated near the bed although some eggs may be distributed throughout the water column. Simulations of egg transport indicate that eggs may be transported up to several hundred meters downstream from spawning locations in the approximate length of time required for eggs to become adhesive. Estimates of egg transport presented here rely on simplifying assumptions about river hydraulics and limited understanding of how eggs interact with the complex substrates and flow near the bed; results highlight the need for additional studies to evaluate the fate of eggs and fertilized embryos of both species.
topic sturgeon
pallid sturgeon
egg characteristics
egg specific gravity
egg transport
egg dispersal
spawning habitat
url http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/02705060.2020.1736191
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