DOCSLIB.ORG

Sturgeon Hatchery Manual

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Sturgeon Hatchery Manual FAO ISSN 2070-7010 FISHERIES AND 558 AQUACULTURE TECHNICAL PAPER 558 STURGEON HATCHERY MANUAL This Sturgeon Hatchery Manual includes the latest available scientific research findings and experiences and compiles advice given in earlier manuals and handbooks on sturgeon culture and reproduction practices. This document was prepared in response HATC STURGEON to numerous requests for practical guidance on this subject from the Central Asian and Caucasus region to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). This manual is targeted particularly at sturgeon farmers, sturgeon hatchery operators, hatchery technicians, and fisheries and aquaculture managers involved in sturgeon aquaculture development and the restocking and rehabilitation of sturgeon populations in the countries around the basins of the Black and Caspian seas. It aims to provide a practical handbook of modern sturgeon hatchery practices and management. The H manual is available in the English, Russian and Turkish languages. MANUAL ERY FAO FAO Sturgeon Hatchery FISHERIES AND Manual AQUACULTURE TECHNICAL PAPER 558 Prepared by Mikhail S. Chebanov FAO Consultant Krasnodar, Russia and Elena V. Galich Krasnodar, Russia FOOD AND AGRICULTURE ORGANIZATION OF THE UNITED NATIONS Ankara, 2013 Reprinted 2013 The designations employed and the presentation of material in this information product do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) concerning the legal or development status of any country, territory, city or area or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries. The mention of specific companies or products of manufacturers, whether or not these have been patented, does not imply that these have been endorsed or recommended by FAO in preference to others of a similar nature that are not mentioned. The views expressed in this information product are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of FAO. ISBN 978-92-5-106823-6 All rights reserved. FAO encourages reproduction and dissemination of material in this information product. Non-commercial uses will be authorized free of charge. Reproduction for resale or other commercial purposes, including educational purposes, may incur fees. Applications for permission to reproduce or disseminate FAO copyright materials and all other queries on rights and licences, should be addressed by e-mail to [email protected] or to the Chief, Publishing Policy and Support Branch, Office of Knowledge Exchange, Research and Extension, FAO, Viale delle Terme di Caracalla, 00153 Rome, Italy. © FAO 2011 iii Preparation OF THIS DOCUMENT This document, the Sturgeon Hatchery Manual, was prepared in response to requests from the Central Asian and Caucasus region to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). Fish farmers, hatchery operators, hatchery technicians and fisheries and aquaculture managers in the countries around the Caspian Basin expressed their need for a practical instruction manual containing the latest practices and knowledge on sturgeon hatcheries. This manual includes the latest available scientific research findings and experiences and compiles advice given in earlier manuals and handbooks on this subject. This document can be considered an update of the Sturgeon Breeding and Rearing Handbook (Chebanov, Galich and Chmyr, 2004), which was published only in the Russian language. It covers important aspects of sturgeon reproduction and growth for both sturgeon aquaculture and sturgeon restocking activities (with main emphasis on sturgeon culture as practiced in the region). The preparation of this document was financed by the FAO Technical Cooperation Programme (TCP) project “Recovery of Sturgeon Population in Turkey: Habitat Assessment and Restocking” (TCP/TUR/3202). This project was a collaborative effort of FAO with the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs of Turkey (MARA), the State Hydraulic Works of Turkey (DSI) and the Central Fisheries Research Institute (SUMAE). In the preparation process of this manual, input was received from experts attending the various workshops organized within the framework of the FAO Technical Cooperation Project TCP/INT/3101 “Capacity Building for the Recovery and Management of the Sturgeon Fisheries of the Caspian Sea”. These workshops included the FAO/World Bank/United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)/ Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic of Kazakhstan “Regional Training Workshop on Sturgeon Hatchery Practices and Management” held in Atyrau, Kazakhstan from 14–19 April 2009, and the “Workshop on Technical Guidelines on Sturgeon Hatchery Practices and Management” held in Wuhan, China on 25 October 2009. The latter workshop was organized under a partnership of FAO with the World Sturgeon Conservation Society (WSCS), the 6th International Symposium on Sturgeon, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Sturgeon Specialist Group, the UNDP/Global Environment Facility (GEF) CaspEco project of thвыe Caspian Environment Programme and the Institute for Hydro-Ecology of China. Additional information was collected for this manual from the WSCS meetings and the FAO/ European Inland Fishery Advisory Commission (EIFAC) ad hoc Working Party “Management of Sturgeon” meetings over the period 2004–2009. The preparation of this document was led by Mikhail S. Chebanov and Elena V. Galich of the South Branch Federal Center of Selection and Genetics for Aquaculture, Krasnodar, Russian Federation. Raymon van Anrooy of the FAO Sub-regional Office for Central Asia (SEC) coordinated the preparation of this document. Aquaculture (FIRA) and Marine and Inland Fisheries Services (FIRF) of the Fisheries and Aquaculture Resources Use and Conservation Division (FIR) of the FAO Fisheries and Aquaculture Department (FI) provided technical support and advice. v ABSTRACT This Sturgeon Hatchery Manual includes the latest available scientific research findings and experiences and compiles advice given in earlier manuals and handbooks on sturgeon culture and reproduction practices. This document can be considered an update of the Sturgeon Breeding and Rearing Handbook (Chebanov, Galich and Chmyr, 2004), which was published in the Russian language. The Sturgeon Hatchery Manual was prepared in response to numerous requests for practical guidance on this subject from the Central Asian and Caucasus region to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). This manual is targeted particularly at sturgeon farmers, sturgeon hatchery operators, hatchery technicians, and fisheries and aquaculture managers involved in sturgeon aquaculture development and the restocking and rehabilitation of sturgeon populations in the countries around the basins of the Black and Caspian seas. It aims to provide a practical handbook of modern sturgeon hatchery practices and management. The manual is available in the English, Russian and Turkish languages. The manual starts with a chapter on the taxonomy, biology, distribution and life histories of Azov-Black and Caspian Sea sturgeons. Subsequent chapters discuss the following aspects of sturgeon hatchery practices: hatchery design, collection and transportation of wild broodstock, broodstock management, spawning and gamete processing, fry and fingerling rearing, production of live feeds, the technology of artificial reproduction, ecological- morphological and ethological-physiological express estimation of larval and fingerling (fry) viability, release of fingerlings into natural waterbodies, the formation of domesticated broodstock, basic sanitation and fish health measures, tagging, and early sexing and maturity determination in live sturgeons using ultrasound techniques. The manual also contains an extensive list of references, a list of Acipenseriformes and numerous figures, photographs and tables to support the guidance given on the various hatchery practices. Key words: broodstock, gene pool, hatchery, reproduction, sturgeon, ultrasound Chebanov, M.S.; Galich, E.V. Sturgeon hatchery manual. FAO Fisheries and Aquaculture Technical Paper. No. 558. Ankara, FAO. 2011, 303 p. vii CONTENTS Preparation of this document...............................................................................iii Abstract ...................................................................................................................v Abbreviations and acronyms ..........................................................................xxvii Acknowledgements ...........................................................................................xxix Introduction .......................................................................................................xxxi Chapter 1 - Azov-Black and Caspian seas sturgeon taxonomy, biology, distribution and life history...................................................................................1 1.1 INTRODUCTION .............................................................................................1 1.2 BIOLOGY, DISTRIBUTION AND LIFE historY .......................................2 1.2.1 Beluga (giant sturgeon) – Huso huso (Linnaeus, 1758) ....................2 1.2.2 Russian sturgeon – Acipenser gueldenstaedtii Brandt & Ratzeburg, 1833 .................................................................................4 1.2.3 Persian sturgeon – Acipenser persicus Borodin, 1897 .......................8 1.2.4 Stellate sturgeon – Acipenser
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Sturgeons of the Caspian Sea and Ural River
    Photo and image credits: Front Cover: Top left, beluga sturgeon (Huso huso); Top Right: Russian sturgeon (Acipenser gueldenstaedtii); Bottom: stellate sturgeon (Acipenser stellatus); Todd Stailey, Tennessee Aquarium. Back Cover: “FISH IS OUR TREASURE”, Phaedra Doukakis, Ph. D. IOCS; Page 1: Shannon Crownover, The Nature Conservancy; Page 6, 9, 10, 11: Phaedra Doukakis, Ph. D., IOCS; Page 4, 5, 7 designed by Grace Lewis. Brochure content was developed by Alison Ormsby, Ph.D. and Phaedra Doukakis, Ph. D. with editorial review by Yael Wyner, Ph. D. Layout was designed by Grace Lewis. The brochure was developed under a generous grant from Agip KCO. Agip KCO Tel.: international line: 1, K. Smagulov Street +39 02 9138 3300 Atyrau, 06002 Tel: local lines: Republic of Kazakhstan (+7) 7122 92 3300 Fax: (+7) 7122 92 3310 Designed and printed in Kazakhstan www.agipkco.com Sturgeons of the Caspian Sea and Ural River www.oceanconservationscience.org A Unique and Precious Resource What are Sturgeon? River, other rivers off the Caspian Sea are used by sturgeons for With bony plates called scutes on their bodies and ancestors that reproduction, including the Volga River in Russia and the Kura date to the time of dinosaurs, sturgeons are unusual fish. Unlike River in Azerbaijan. However, dams on the Volga and Kura have other types of fish, sturgeons have scutes instead of scales. blocked sturgeons from being able to migrate upriver, and have changed the quality of the rivers so they are no longer able to support sturgeon reproduction. Reproduction: For sturgeon, the process of mixing female eggs and male sperm to create a fertilized egg that hatches into a baby sturgeon.
    [Show full text]
  • First Verified Occurrence of the Shortnose Sturgeon (Acipenser Brevirostrum) in the James River, Virginia
    19 6 Abstract—The shortnose sturgeon (Acipenser brevirostrum) is an en- First verified occurrence of the shortnose dangered species of fish that inhab- sturgeon (Acipenser brevirostrum) its the continental slope of the At- lantic Ocean from New Brunswick, in the James River, Virginia Canada, to Florida. This species has not been documented previously in the freshwater portion of any river Matthew Balazik of the Chesapeake Bay, except in the Potomac River. On 13 March 2016, a Email address for author: [email protected] shortnose sturgeon was captured in the freshwater portion of the James Center for Environmental Studies River at river kilometer 48. The Virginia Commonwealth University fish had a fork length of about 75 1000 West Cary Street cm and was likely mature. Genetic Richmond, Virginia 23284 analysis confirmed the fish was a shortnose sturgeon and was assigned to the Chesapeake Bay–Delaware population segment. Regardless of whether this shortnose sturgeon was part of a remnant Chesapeake The shortnose sturgeon (Acipenser ture of shortnose sturgeon, as well Bay population or whether its cap- brevirostrum) is an amphidromous (Spells1; Welsh et al., 2002; Mangold ture there is an indicator of an ex- sturgeon reported to inhabit the con- et al.2). Only one genetically verified pansion of range from the Delaware tinental slope of the Atlantic Ocean shortnose sturgeon was collected in River by way of the Chesapeake and from New Brunswick, Canada, to Virginia waters as part of these pro- Delaware Canal, dedicated research Florida (Gruchy and Parker, 1980; grams (Spells1; Welsh et al., 2002). is needed to determine the status of Dadswell et al., 1984; Kynard, 1997).
    [Show full text]
  • Atlantic Sturgeon
    Species Profile: Atlantic Sturgeon Benchmark Assessment Indicates Signs of a Slow Recovery Species Snapshot Though Challenges Towards Sustainability Remain Introduction Atlantic Sturgeon For almost 30 years, the 15 Atlantic coastal states have worked together to effectively Acipenser oxyrhynchus oxyrhynchus manage Atlantic sturgeon throughout its range from Maine to Florida. Recognizing both the importance of this ancient species and the dire status of the population, the states Management Unit: Maine to Florida implemented a 40-year coastwide moratorium on harvest through Amendment I to the Interesting Facts Atlantic Sturgeon FMP in 1998 with the goal of restoring the population of this once thriving • The species name 'oxyrhynchus' means sharp fishery. Since then, the states have invested considerable resources to research the species’ snout. biology and life history. Despite the strong conservation efforts taken, Atlantic sturgeon was added to the Endangered Species List in February 2012. A coastwide benchmark stock • Sturgeon were a key food source for U.S. settlers assessment completed by the Commission in the fall of 2017 concluded that the population along the Atlantic coast. remains depleted at the coastwide and distinct population segment (DPS) levels relative • In the late 1800s, fishing for sturgeon eggs (to to historic abundance, although the population appears to be recovering slowly since sell as caviar) attracted so many people, the trend implementation of the 1998 moratorium. was referred to as the “Black Gold Rush.” • Atlantic sturgeon are river-specific, returning to Life History their natal rivers to spawn. Atlantic sturgeon (Acipenser oxyrhynchus oxyrhynchus) are ancient fish, dating back to at least • Rather than having true scales, Atlantic sturgeon the late Cretaceous Period (66-100 million years ago).
    [Show full text]
  • Predator/Prey Interactions, Competition, Multi
    Current understanding of trophic dynamics In the Mid-Atlantic Bluefish diets, Mid Atlantic and Southern New England, NEFSC surveys 100% All others All Flatfish 90% Unid fish Unid Unid fish Unid fish Unid fish Scup 80% Scup Unid fish Scup Bluefish Butterfish Bluefish 70% Mackerel Bluefish Butterfish Butterfish Hakes 60% Loligo Drums Butterfish Unid Squid Ocean pout Round herring 50% Butterfish Ctenophores Menhaden Loligo Loligo Loligo 40% Loligo Unid Squid Round herring Illex Bay anchovy Unid Squid Unid Squid Silver anchovy Round herring Round herring 30% Bay anchovy Menhaden Unid herring Bay anchovy Menhaden Bay anchovy Striped anchovy 20% Silver anchovy Unid anchovies Bay anchovy Striped anchovy Unid anchovies 10% Striped anchovy Unid anchovies Sand lances Unid anchovies Sand lances Sand lances Sand lances 0% 1977-86 1987-96 1997-2006 2007-2013 Food web models partition mortality 100% 90% 80% If Pred > F, 70% Pred Re-evaluate 60% constant M 50% 40% Proportion of total Mortality total Proportion of F 30% 20% 10% Proportion of total mortality total of Proportion 0% Longnose skate P. Halibut W. Pollock Squids Gaichas et al. 2010 Fishing Predation Other Link et al. 2008. The Northeast U.S. continental shelf Energy Modeling and Analysis exercise (EMAX): Ecological network model development and basic ecosystem metrics. Journal of Marine Systems 74: 453-474 Intermediate tactical multispecies models An intermediate-complexity tactical ecosystem assessment tool combines: Standard stock assessment Ecosystem considerations • Structured population
    [Show full text]
  • Invasive Catfish Management Strategy August 2020
    Invasive Catfish Management Strategy August 2020 A team from the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries uses electrofishing to monitor invasive blue catfish in the James River in 2011. (Photo by Matt Rath/Chesapeake Bay Program) I. Introduction This management strategy portrays the outcomes of an interactive workshop (2020 Invasive Catfish Workshop) held by the Invasive Catfish Workgroup at the Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) Rice Rivers Center in Charles City, Virginia on January 29-30, 2020. The workshop convened a diverse group of stakeholders to share the current scientific understanding and priority issues associated with invasive catfishes in Chesapeake Bay. The perspectives shared and insights gained from the workshop were used to develop practical, synergistic recommendations that will improve management and mitigate impacts of these species across jurisdictions within the watershed. Blue catfish (Ictalurus furcatus) and flathead catfish (Pylodictis olivaris) are native to the Ohio, Missouri, Mississippi, and Rio Grande river basins, and were introduced into the Virginia tributaries of Chesapeake Bay in the 1960s and 1970s to establish a recreational fishery. These non-native species have since spread, inhabiting nearly all major tributaries of the Bay watershed. Rapid range expansion and population growth, particularly of blue catfish, have led to increasing concerns about impacts on the ecology of the Chesapeake Bay ecosystem. 1 Chesapeake Bay Management Strategy Invasive Catfish Blue and flathead catfishes are long-lived species that can negatively impact native species in Chesapeake Bay through predation and resource competition. Blue catfish are generalist feeders that prey on a wide variety of species that are locally abundant, including those of economic importance and conservation concern, such as blue crabs, alosines, Atlantic menhaden, American eels, and bay anchovy.
    [Show full text]
  • First Record of the North American Paddlefish (Polyodon Spathula Walbaum, 1792) in the Serbian Part of the Danube River
    Arch. Biol. Sci., Belgrade, 58 (3), 27P-28P, 2006. FIRST RECORD OF THE NORTH AMERICAN PADDLEFISH (POLYODON SPATHULA WALBAUM, 1792) IN THE SERBIAN PART OF THE DANUBE RIVER. Mirjana Lenhardt1, A. Hegediš2, B. Mićković2, Željka Višnjić Jeftić2, Marija Smederevac2, I. Jarić2, G. Cvijanović2, and Z. Gačić2. 1Siniša Stanković Institute for Biological Research, 11060 Belgrade, Serbia and 2Center for Multidisciplinary Studies, University of Belgrade, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia Key words: Non-native fish, Polyodon spathula, the Danube, Serbia UDC597.423(7:497.11) The North American paddlefish, Polyodon spathula, is one of Plovdiv and Vidin regions in Bulgaria (Hubenova et al., two living species of paddlefishes, the other being the Chinese 2005). paddlefish, Psephurus gladius. Although P. spathula was once abundant throughout the Mississippi River basin, since the be- In May 2006, a specimen of P. spathula was caught by ginning of the 20th century populations have declined dramati- professional fishermen near Prahovo in the Serbian part of the cally in most areas (Graham, 1997). Polyodon spathula is Danube River (river km 861). According to them, more speci- successfully reared in aquaculture, and, like sturgeon, is highly mens of different size and weight were caught at that time. The valued for its grayish-black roe (which is processed into caviar) specimens were caught with a floating drift net (100 x 4.5 m) and for its boneless firm white meat (Mims, 2001). with mesh size of 3.25 cm. They were identified according to Polyodon spathula is classified as vulnerable (VU) on the Page and Burr(1991). One specimen (Fig. 1) was deposi- IUCN Red List, and its international trade is restricted under ted in the collection of the Natural History Museum in Belgra- Appendix II of the CITES (since 11 June 1992).
    [Show full text]
  • THE CASE AGAINST Marine Mammals in Captivity Authors: Naomi A
    s l a m m a y t T i M S N v I i A e G t A n i p E S r a A C a C E H n T M i THE CASE AGAINST Marine Mammals in Captivity The Humane Society of the United State s/ World Society for the Protection of Animals 2009 1 1 1 2 0 A M , n o t s o g B r o . 1 a 0 s 2 u - e a t i p s u S w , t e e r t S h t u o S 9 8 THE CASE AGAINST Marine Mammals in Captivity Authors: Naomi A. Rose, E.C.M. Parsons, and Richard Farinato, 4th edition Editors: Naomi A. Rose and Debra Firmani, 4th edition ©2009 The Humane Society of the United States and the World Society for the Protection of Animals. All rights reserved. ©2008 The HSUS. All rights reserved. Printed on recycled paper, acid free and elemental chlorine free, with soy-based ink. Cover: ©iStockphoto.com/Ying Ying Wong Overview n the debate over marine mammals in captivity, the of the natural environment. The truth is that marine mammals have evolved physically and behaviorally to survive these rigors. public display industry maintains that marine mammal For example, nearly every kind of marine mammal, from sea lion Iexhibits serve a valuable conservation function, people to dolphin, travels large distances daily in a search for food. In learn important information from seeing live animals, and captivity, natural feeding and foraging patterns are completely lost.
    [Show full text]
  • Distribution and Movement of Chinese Sturgeon, Acipenser Sinensis, on the Spawning Ground Located Below the Gezhouba Dam During Spawning Seasons
    J. Appl. Ichthyol. 22 (Suppl. 1) (2006), 145-151 Received: January 10, 2006 © 2006 Blackwell Verlag, Berlin Accepted: August 9, 2006 ISSN 0175-8659 Distribution and movement of Chinese sturgeon, Acipenser sinensis, on the spawning ground located below the Gezhouba Dam during spawning seasons By D. Yang1,3, B. Kynard2, Q. Wei1,3, X. Chen1,3, W. Zheng1 and H. Du1,3 1Key Laboratory of Freshwater Fish Germplasm Resources and Biotechnology, the Ministry of Agriculture of PRC. Yangtze River Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Jinzhou 434000, China; 2Freshwater Fisheries Research Center, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Wuxi 214081, China; 3S. C. Anadromous Fish Research Center, US Geological Service, MA 01376 USA Summary estuary to begin their upstream spawning migration as maturing adults. The age of females and males at this stage is commonly Sonic tracking of 40 adult pre-spawning Chinese sturgeons (35 above 14 years and 9 years, respectively. Migrating spawners usu- females, 5 males) was done during 8 spawning seasons (1996– ally arrive at the spawning ground about 18 months after starting 2004). Fish spent most of the time close to the dam (within 7 km). the upstream migration. Their gonads develop from stage III into A yearly mean of 64% of the tracking locations of pre-spawners stage IV during the upstream migration (Anonymous. 1988; were in the small area of 1.08 km distance below the dam (cell I-B Chang, 1999). The range of their spawning ground locations before of the tracking grid system). These movements indicate fish con- the construction of the Gezhouba Dam reached from the Maoshui tinue to attempt to move farther upstream to pass the dam.
    [Show full text]
  • Pallid Sturgeon Recovery Plan (Recovery Plan)
    PALLID STURGEON coRE VERYPMN Recovery Plan for the Pallid Sturgeon (Scaphirhynchus a/bus) Prepared by the Pallid Sturgeon Recovery Team Principal Authors Mark P. Dryer, Leader U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Ecological Services 1500 Capitol Avenue Bismarck, ND 58501 and Alan J. Sandvol U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Fisheries and Federal Aid 1500 Capitol Avenue Bismarck, ND 58501 for Region 6 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Denver, Colorado / Approved: Re~5l i rector Date TABLE OF CONTENTS TITLE PAGE RECOVERY BACKGROUND AND STRATEGY iii PALLID STURGEON RECOVERY TEAM iv DISCLAIMER V ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS vi EXECUTIVE SUMMARY vii Part I INTRODUCTION 1 History 1 General Description 1 Historical Distribution and Abundance 3 Present Distribution and Abundance 5 Habitat Preference 5 Current Velocity 7 Turbidity 8 Water Depth 8 Substrate 8 Temperature 8 Life History 8 Reproductive Biology 8 Food and Feeding Habits 9 Age and Growth 10 Reasons for Decline 10 Habitat Loss 10 Commercial Harvest 13 Pall uti on/Contami nants 14 Hybridization 14 Part II RECOVERY 16 Recovery Objectives and Criteria 16 Recovery—Priority Management Areas 16 Recovery Outline 19 24 Recovery Outline Narrative . LITERATURE CITED 42 Part III IMPLEMENTATION SCHEDULE 46 FIGURES NO. PAGE 1. Comparative Diagrams of the Ventral Surface of the Head of Shovelnose Sturgeon and Pallid Sturgeon, Showing Several Measurement Ratios of Value for Identification 2 2. Historic Range of Pallid Sturgeon 4 3. Recent Occurrence of Pallid Sturgeon 6 4. Recovery—Priority Management Areas 18 RECOVERY BACKGROUND AND STRATEGY The pallid sturgeon (Scaphirhynchus albus Forbes and Richardson) was listed as an endangered species on September 6, 1990 (55 FR 36641) pursuant to the Endangered Species Act (Act) of 1973 (16 U.S.C.
    [Show full text]
  • Sturgeon Classification – Dichotomous Keys Subject
    Topic/Lesson: Sturgeon Classification – Dichotomous Keys Subject: Classification and dichotomous keys Author: Rob Yeomans Time One 90 minute block or two 45 minute periods Duration: Overview: Students will use pictures of 7 members of the order Acipenseriformes to build a dichotomous key to identify each species. Objectives: Students will be able to: • Describe how to construct a dichotomous key. • Explain the hierarchal grouping of taxonomy. • Define a species. • Use their observational skills to differentiate species of sturgeon. • Understand the human impact on many species of sturgeon. Materials: • Whiteboard • Projector and screen • Dichotomous key assignment Procedures: 1) At the start of class, put the KPCOFGS of Atlantic sturgeon on the board, out of order. Have the class put each category in order from biggest to smallest and then define each term (What does it mean to be in kingdom Animalia? Phylum Chordata?) If the students don’t know, tell them—especially when you get down to order, family and genus. • Kingdom Animalia (multicellular, heterotrophic, eukaryotic) • Phylum Chordata (have at some point a notochord, dorsal nerve cord, gill slits and a post-anal tail) • Class Actinopterygii (All ray finned fishes. Fins are made of bony spines connected by a webbing of skin for support) • Order Acipenseriformes (primitive, cartilaginous endoskeleton, lack of a vertebral column) • Family Acipenseridae (true sturgeon; elongated bodies, lack of scales, anadromous, bottom feeders) • Genus Acipenser (Atlantic Sturgeon) 1 • Species oxyrinchus Comment to the class that there are actually two subspecies of oxyrinchus. Acipenser oxyrinchus oxyrinchus is the Atlantic sturgeon and Acipenser oxyrinchus desotoi is the Gulf sturgeon 2) Reinforce the fact that sturgeon are a primitive fish and fossils have been found dating back 144-65 million years ago.
    [Show full text]
  • The Key Threats to Sturgeons and Measures for Their Protection in the Lower Danube Region
    THE KEY THREATS TO STURGEONS AND MEASURES FOR THEIR PROTECTION IN THE LOWER DANUBE REGION MIRJANA LENHARDT* Institute for Biological Research, Serbia IVAN JARIĆ, GORČIN CVIJANOVIĆ AND MARIJA SMEDEREVAC-LALIĆ Center for Multidisciplinary Studies, Serbia Abstract The six native sturgeon species have been commercially harvested in the Danube Basin for more than 2,000 years, with rapid decrease in catch by mid 19th century. Addi- tional negative effect on sturgeon populations in the Danube River was river regulation in Djerdap region, due to navigation in the late 19th century, as well as dam construction in the second half of 20th century that blocked sturgeon spawning migrations. Beside over- fishing and habitat loss, illegal trade, life history characteristics of sturgeon, lack of effective management (due to lack of transboundary cooperation and change in political situa- tion in Lower Danube Region countries) and pollution all pose serious threats on sturgeon populations in Lower Danube Region. International measures established by the Conven- tion on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) in late 20th century, listing of beluga (Huso huso) as an endangered species under the U.S. Endangered Species Act, as well as development of Action plan for conservation of sturgeons in the Danube River Basin, had significant impact on activities related to sturgeon protection at beginning of 21st century. These actions were aimed towards diminishment of pressure on natural sturgeon populations and aquaculture development in countries of Lower Danube Region. The main goal of the Action Plan was to raise public awareness and to create a common framework for implementation of urgent measures.
    [Show full text]
  • 2012 Wildearth Guardians and Friends of Animals Petition to List
    PETITION TO LIST Fifteen Species of Sturgeon UNDER THE U.S. ENDANGERED SPECIES ACT Submitted to the U.S. Secretary of Commerce, Acting through the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the National Marine Fisheries Service March 8, 2012 Petitioners WildEarth Guardians Friends of Animals 1536 Wynkoop Street, Suite 301 777 Post Road, Suite 205 Denver, Colorado 80202 Darien, Connecticut 06820 303.573.4898 203.656.1522 INTRODUCTION WildEarth Guardians and Friends of Animals hereby petitions the Secretary of Commerce, acting through the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS)1 and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) (hereinafter referred as the Secretary), to list fifteen critically endangered sturgeon species as “threatened” or “endangered” under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) (16 U.S.C. § 1531 et seq.). The fifteen petitioned sturgeon species, grouped by geographic region, are: I. Western Europe (1) Acipenser naccarii (Adriatic Sturgeon) (2) Acipenser sturio (Atlantic Sturgeon/Baltic Sturgeon/Common Sturgeon) II. Caspian Sea/Black Sea/Sea of Azov (3) Acipenser gueldenstaedtii (Russian Sturgeon) (4) Acipenser nudiventris (Ship Sturgeon/Bastard Sturgeon/Fringebarbel Sturgeon/Spiny Sturgeon/Thorn Sturgeon) (5) Acipenser persicus (Persian Sturgeon) (6) Acipenser stellatus (Stellate Sturgeon/Star Sturgeon) III. Aral Sea and Tributaries (endemics) (7) Pseudoscaphirhynchus fedtschenkoi (Syr-darya Shovelnose Sturgeon/Syr Darya Sturgeon) (8) Pseudoscaphirhynchus hermanni (Dwarf Sturgeon/Little Amu-Darya Shovelnose/Little Shovelnose Sturgeon/Small Amu-dar Shovelnose Sturgeon) (9) Pseudoscaphirhynchus kaufmanni (False Shovelnose Sturgeon/Amu Darya Shovelnose Sturgeon/Amu Darya Sturgeon/Big Amu Darya Shovelnose/Large Amu-dar Shovelnose Sturgeon/Shovelfish) IV. Amur River Basin/Sea of Japan/Sea of Okhotsk (10) Acipenser mikadoi (Sakhalin Sturgeon) (11) Acipenser schrenckii (Amur Sturgeon) (12) Huso dauricus (Kaluga) V.
    [Show full text]