Hierarchical patterns of population structure in the endangered Fraser River white sturgeon (Acipenser transmontanus) and implications for conservation

2012 ◽  
Vol 69 (12) ◽  
pp. 1968-1980 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrea Drauch Schreier ◽  
Brian Mahardja ◽  
Bernie May
Keyword(s):  
Population Structure ◽  
Clustering Algorithm ◽  
River System ◽  
White Sturgeon ◽  
Population Substructure ◽  
Acipenser Transmontanus ◽  
Fraser River ◽  
Population Genetic Analysis ◽  
Management Units ◽  
Genetic Clustering

The Fraser River system consists of five white sturgeon (Acipenser transmontanus) management units, two of which are listed as endangered populations under Canada’s Species at Risk Act. The delineation of these management units was based primarily on population genetic analysis with samples parsed by collection location. We used polysomic microsatellite markers to examine population structure in the Fraser River system with samples parsed by collection location and with a genetic clustering algorithm. Strong levels of genetic divergence were revealed above and below Hells Gate, a narrowing of the Fraser canyon further obstructed by a rockslide in 1913. Additional analyses revealed population substructure on the Fraser River above Hells Gate. The Middle Fraser River (SG-3) and Nechako River were found to be distinct populations, while the Upper Fraser River, although currently listed as an endangered population, represented a mixing area for white sturgeon originating from SG-3 and Nechako. Differences between these results and previous genetic investigations may be attributed to the detection of population mixing when genetic clustering is used to infer population structure.

Population genetic analysis of white sturgeon (Acipenser transmontanus) in the Fraser River

2002 ◽  
Vol 18 (4-6) ◽  
pp. 307-312 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. T. Smith ◽  
R. J. Nelson ◽  
S. Pollard ◽  
E. Rubidge ◽  
S. J. McKay ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Analysis ◽  
Population Genetic ◽  
White Sturgeon ◽  
Acipenser Transmontanus ◽  
Fraser River ◽  
Population Genetic Analysis

Acute Toxicity Testing with Juvenile White Sturgeon (Acipenser transmontanus)

1998 ◽  
Vol 33 (1) ◽  
pp. 95-110 ◽  
Author(s):  
W.R. Bennett ◽  
A.P. Farrell
Keyword(s):  
Acute Toxicity ◽  
Swimming Performance ◽  
Juvenile Fish ◽  
Toxicity Testing ◽  
White Sturgeon ◽  
Acipenser Transmontanus ◽  
Toxicity Tests ◽  
Fraser River ◽  
Acute Toxicity Tests ◽  
Acute Toxicity Testing

Abstract The primary goal of this study was to investigate the possibility of using early life stages of white sturgeon (Acipenser transmontanus) (eggs, larvae and fry) as a species relevant to the Fraser River, B.C., for the acute and sublethal toxico-logical testing of forest industry effluents. Here we report the first successful acute toxicity tests for 8-day-old larvae and 42-day-old fry exposed to several chemicals known to be released into the Fraser River (i.e., 6 monochlorovanillin [6 MVAN], 4,5 dichloroguaiacol [4,5 DCG], 4,5 dichlorocatechol [4,5 DCAT], pentachlorophenol [PCP], and didecyldimethylammonium chloride [DDAC]). In most cases, white sturgeon fry were at the lower end of the range for acute toxicity values for chlorinated phenolic compounds, when compared with other juvenile fish species, and they were extremely sensitive to DDAC. The larval stage was usually more sensitive than the fry stage. Acute toxicity tests with fertilized eggs were unsuccessful. A postexposure growth study was inconclusive because neither control nor toxicant-exposed larvae and fry withstood the additional handling used for measuring body mass. At 62-days-old, fry were more tolerant of handling. This allowed measurement of their swimming performance. Although we have concerns about the reliability of using larvae for acute toxicity testing at this time, 60-day-old white sturgeon fry would appear to be both a sensitive and relevant species for assessing environmental impacts relevant to the Fraser River.

Chutes and ladders and other games we play with rivers. II. Simulated effects of translocation on white sturgeon

2006 ◽  
Vol 63 (1) ◽  
pp. 176-185 ◽  
Author(s):  
Henriette I Jager
Keyword(s):  
Fish Species ◽  
Simulation Study ◽  
River System ◽  
Genetic Effects ◽  
White Sturgeon ◽  
Acipenser Transmontanus ◽  
River Systems ◽  
Short Segment ◽  
River Fragmentation ◽  
Demographic Effects

Restoring connectivity is viewed as an important recovery option for fish species adversely affected by river fragmentation. This simulation study quantified the genetic and demographic effects of translocation on metapopulations of white sturgeon (Acipenser transmontanus) inhabiting a series of long (source) and short (sink) river segments. Genetic effects were predictable; upstream translocations increased introgression and downstream translocations had no effect. Demographic results suggest that indiscriminant efforts to reconnect populations may do more harm than good. Simulated river systems with high interspersion of long and short segments and a long segment far upstream tended to benefit most from translocation, but only when narrow screening or downstream passage was also provided below the river segment receiving fish. When combined with narrow screening, upstream translocation to a long segment subsidizing several downstream short segments produced the best results. Downstream passage outperformed narrow screening only when the translocation recipient was a short segment in a river system with low interspersion and no long, upstream river segment. This model-based evaluation of reconnection options has helped to refine ideas about restoring populations in fragmented rivers by predicting which options benefit riverine metapopulations as a whole.

CONTAMINANTS IN WHITE STURGEON (ACIPENSER TRANSMONTANUS) FROM THE UPPER FRASER RIVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA, CANADA

1997 ◽  
Vol 16 (3) ◽  
pp. 479 ◽  
Author(s):  
Donald D. MacDonald ◽  
Michael G. Ikonomou ◽  
Anna-Lea Rantalaine ◽  
I. Hal Rogers ◽  
David Sutherland ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
British Columbia ◽  
White Sturgeon ◽  
Acipenser Transmontanus ◽  
Fraser River

Concentrations of strontium in the pectoral fin rays of the white sturgeon (Acipenser transmontanus) by laser ablation sampling - inductively coupled plasma - mass spectrometry as an indicator of marine migrations

1999 ◽  
Vol 56 (11) ◽  
pp. 1981-1990 ◽  
Author(s):  
Geoff Veinott ◽  
Tom Northcote ◽  
Marvin Rosenau ◽  
R Douglas Evans
Keyword(s):  
Mass Spectrometry ◽  
Laser Ablation ◽  
Inductively Coupled Plasma ◽  
White Sturgeon ◽  
Acipenser Transmontanus ◽  
Fraser River ◽  
Inductively Coupled ◽  
Fin Ray ◽  
Fin Rays ◽  
Plasma Mass Spectrometry

Laser ablation sampling - inductively coupled plasma - mass spectrometry (LAS-ICP-MS) was an effective technique for the comparison of relative Sr concentrations in the opaque growth zones (annuli) in the fin rays of white sturgeon (Acipenser transmontanus). Three of 29 Fraser River white sturgeon (10.3% of the sample) showed significantly higher Sr fin ray concentrations in at least one annulus compared with the remainder of the fin ray, and this was interpreted as evidence of marine migrations. Eleven other individual fish had significantly higher mean Sr concentrations in their first 15 annuli compared with annuli 16-30 but lower than the concentrations of the three putative diadromous fish, and this was interpreted as evidence of time spent in the estuary. Eight Fraser River fish greater than 15 years old showed no significant increase in fin ray Sr concentations in the first 15 annuli, and Sr concentrations remained below 350 ppm throughout their lives. These individuals were considered likely to have spent most of their lives in a freshwater environment. Based on the evidence in this study, it is probable that the majority of white sturgeon in the lower Fraser River are not diadromous, but many spend extended periods of time in the Fraser River estuary as juveniles.

Marine Trematode Tubulovesicula lindbergi (Digenea: Hemiuridae) from Resident White Sturgeon in the Columbia River

1970 ◽  
Vol 27 (7) ◽  
pp. 1313-1316 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. Dale Becker
Keyword(s):  
Columbia River ◽  
River System ◽  
Host Record ◽  
White Sturgeon ◽  
Acipenser Transmontanus ◽  
Hydroelectric Dams ◽  
Migratory Fish ◽  
Intermediate Hosts ◽  
New Host ◽  
New Host Record

An infection with a marine trematode, Tubulovesicula lindbergi (Layman, 1930) (Digenea: Hemiuridae), was discovered in a resident white sturgeon, Acipenser transmontanus Richardson, taken in the central Columbia River, Washington, USA. Tubulovesicula lindbergi is normally restricted to marine environs by virtue of essential (but still unknown) invertebrate intermediate hosts, but may occur in migratory fish that enter fresh water. Since hydroelectric dams on the Columbia are now effective barriers to the passage of sturgeon, it is postulated that T. lindbergi was transported into the river system by a maturing, anadromous teleost. After the postspawning death of the "transport" teleost host, the sturgeon presumably acquired the infection when scavenging. Consideration of basic synecological relationships supports the hypothesis. The white sturgeon is a new host record for T. lindbergi.

Biology, Management, and Protection of North American Sturgeon

2002 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Population Dynamics ◽  
Population Structure ◽  
White Sturgeon ◽  
Acipenser Transmontanus ◽  
Snake River ◽  
Nez Perce ◽  
River Section ◽  
Catch And Release ◽  
Research Population ◽  
Hells Canyon

<em>Abstract.</em>—White sturgeon <em>Acipenser transmontanus</em> in the Hells Canyon reach of the Snake River have been under sport catch-and-release regulations for almost thirty years. Three states, Idaho, Oregon, and Washington bound this river section, and each imposed catchand-release regulations in 1970s. Nez Perce Tribe tribal members can harvest sturgeon throughout the year in this Snake River section. The population structure at the initiation of catch-and-release regulations showed a deficit in the 92–183 cm (TL) length range as white sturgeon within this group were harvested before 1972. The population composition was 86% between 55 and 92 cm, 4% between 92 and 183 cm, and 10% greater than 183 cm. Information collected during 1982–85 and in 1998 shows increasing abundance in the mid-sized length-group (92–183 cm TL). Because of the positive response of this population to a reduction in legal sport harvest, there have been discussions regarding the elimination of catchand-release fishing. Because of the longevity of white sturgeon, it may take another 25–30 years for the older age-class segment (>183 cm TL) to show a response to catch and release. For the interim, I suggest that strong consideration be given for retaining the Hells Canyon population as a conservation research population. This designation would allow for better understanding of population dynamics for future managers, but still allow present activities of catch-and-release sport fishing and tribal harvest.

Contaminants in white sturgeon (Acipenser transmontanus) from the upper Fraser River, British Columbia, Canada

1997 ◽  
Vol 16 (3) ◽  
pp. 479-490 ◽  
Author(s):  
Donald D. MacDonald ◽  
Michael G. Ikonomou ◽  
Anna-Lea Rantalaine ◽  
I. Hal Rogers ◽  
David Sutherland ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
British Columbia ◽  
White Sturgeon ◽  
Acipenser Transmontanus ◽  
Fraser River

Incorporating spatial and seasonal dimensions in a stock reduction analysis for lower Fraser River white sturgeon (Acipenser transmontanus)

2012 ◽  
Vol 69 (10) ◽  
pp. 1674-1697 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rebecca E. Whitlock ◽  
Murdoch K. McAllister
Keyword(s):  
Posterior Probability ◽  
Mortality Rates ◽  
White Sturgeon ◽  
Acipenser Transmontanus ◽  
Current Status ◽  
Fraser River ◽  
Fishing Mortality ◽  
Abundance Estimates ◽  
Spawning Stock ◽  
Stock Abundance

We applied a spatially and seasonally structured stock reduction analysis (SRA) model to white sturgeon ( Acipenser transmontanus ) in the lower Fraser River, British Columbia, to estimate trends in abundance since the 1800s and evaluate the current status of the population. We used a sequential Bayesian state–space estimation approach to incorporate prior information from other analyses and evaluate the updating of prior knowledge within the SRA model. The estimated ratio of the abundance of spawning fish in 2004 to relative to unfished conditions was slightly higher than estimates from other studies; on average, 27% of the posterior probability was associated with a 2004 spawning stock abundance of 50% or less of the unfished abundance. Estimates of the current abundance of fish vulnerable to the lower Fraser River recreational fishery were higher than those obtained in other recent SRAs that ignored spatial structure. We also performed the analysis using a spatially aggregated version of the SRA model and obtained lower estimates of unfished biomass and depletion and higher estimates of fishing mortality rates compared with the spatially structured model. We evaluated two structural hypotheses about age-specific vulnerabilities in the historical commercial fishery; assumed vulnerabilities had a marked impact on estimated fishing mortality rates.

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