scholarly journals Argulus from the Pascagoula River, MS, USA, with an Emphasis on Those of the Threatened Gulf Sturgeon, Acipenser oxyrinchus desotoi

Diversity ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (12) ◽  
pp. 232
Author(s):  
Michael J. Andres ◽  
Jeremy M. Higgs ◽  
Paul O. Grammer ◽  
Mark S. Peterson

Species of Argulus (Branchiura Thorell, 1864) are common ectoparasites of freshwater, estuarine, and marine fishes. Argulid identification and taxonomy is often confusing because many species are reported to parasitize multiple host species, have similar morphological characters, and come from various salinity regimes. Gulf sturgeon is an anadromous fish natal to drainages in the north-central Gulf of Mexico, and as with many endangered species, has a poorly documented parasite community. During Gulf sturgeon tagging and monitoring studies (2016–2019) in the Pascagoula River, MS, USA, species of Argulus were collected from Gulf sturgeon as well as other incidentally captured fishes. Argulus flavescens Wilson, 1916 was found on Gulf sturgeon and flathead catfish, Argulus americanus Wilson, 1902 on bowfin, and Argulus bicolor Bere, 1936 on Atlantic stingray. We provide morphological details and measurements for these species as well as the first confirmed 28S rDNA molecular data. Argulus flavescens was more abundant and prevalent on larger Gulf sturgeon and on sturgeon captured in freshwater rather than estuarine habitats. Our results indicate that A. flacescens may not tolerate estuarine salinities and that the anadromous life-history pattern of Gulf sturgeon could help rid them of A. flavescens when they emigrate from their riverine habitats.


2014 ◽  
Vol 71 (9) ◽  
pp. 1407-1417 ◽  
Author(s):  
Merrill B. Rudd ◽  
Robert N.M. Ahrens ◽  
William E. Pine ◽  
Stephania K. Bolden

Understanding mortality rates and movement patterns across a species’ distribution can provide key insight necessary for developing effective conservation, recovery, and management plans. We directly estimated site fidelity and natural mortality rates for the threatened Gulf sturgeon (Acipenser oxyrinchus desotoi) across a large portion of their range in the northern Gulf of Mexico using acoustic telemetry methods and a simulation-tested, multistate mark–recapture model. Our results suggest that fidelity rates to riverine habitats used during spring and summer are high, but natural mortality rates vary widely. Our results are highly relevant for managing this species. The high fidelity rates, coupled with supporting genetic analyses, suggest that management of individual riverine populations of Gulf sturgeon should be considered. The need for individual river-based management is exacerbated by the variation in natural mortality rates among rivers. The reasons for these differences in mortality are unclear, but are an important area of future research because higher mortality rates may impede recovery of some Gulf sturgeon populations to stated management targets.



2009 ◽  
Vol 32 (2) ◽  
pp. 360-374 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephen T. Ross ◽  
W. Todd Slack ◽  
Ryan J. Heise ◽  
Mark A. Dugo ◽  
Howard Rogillio ◽  
...  


2014 ◽  
Vol 24 (4) ◽  
pp. 553-561 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul O. Grammer ◽  
Paul F. Mickle ◽  
Mark S. Peterson ◽  
Jeanne-Marie Havrylkoff ◽  
William T. Slack ◽  
...  




2005 ◽  
Vol 36 (3) ◽  
pp. 504-508 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert S. Bakal ◽  
Brian H. Hickson ◽  
Brian C. Gilger ◽  
Michael G. Levy ◽  
James R. Flowers ◽  
...  


Abstract.<em>—</em>Although most species of anadromous sturgeons worldwide are threatened with extinction, information on the estuarine and marine components of their life history is generally lacking. During March 1997 to July 1999, we used ultrasonic telemetry to examine estuarine and marine habitat use of adult Gulf sturgeon <em>Acipenser oxyrinchus desotoi</em> from the Choctawhatchee Bay/River System, Florida. During winter and spring, telemetered Gulf sturgeon were distributed nonrandomly within Choctawhatchee Bay, with most relocations in nearshore areas 2–4 m deep. Within the bay, Gulf sturgeon occasionally moved long distances but usually remained in localized areas (<1 km<sup>2</sup>) for several weeks. Areas where Gulf sturgeon remained for prolonged periods were characterized by sandy substrate harboring a benthic community dominated by crustaceans and annelids. A majority of male Gulf sturgeon remained exclusively in Choctawhatchee Bay during the winter and spring. In contrast, a majority of females during this time were either relocated in the Gulf of Mexico or were absent at sampling locations, having last been detected at bay entrances. Declines in habitat quality in Choctawhatchee Bay and the Gulf of Mexico may hinder recovery of this species, since adult Gulf sturgeon rely on these areas for nourishment during periods of gonadal growth.





2017 ◽  
Vol 31 (3) ◽  
pp. 317 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jesús A. Cruz-López ◽  
Oscar F. Francke

Systematic relationships among Laniatores have received considerable attention during the past few years. Many significant taxonomic changes have been proposed, particularly in the superfamily Gonyleptoidea. As part of this superfamily, the basalmost Stygnopsidae is the least known family. In order to propose the first total evidence phylogeny of the family, we produced four datasets: three molecular markers – partial nuclear 28S, mitochondrial ribosomal 16S, mitochondrial protein-encoding cytochrome c oxidase subunit I; and 72 morphological characters. With these data, we performed three different phylogenetic analyses: (1) Bayesian Inference with molecular data, and (2) Bayesian Inference and (3) Maximum Likelihood using combined data. Our results are congruent: a monophyletic Stygnopsidae subdivided into two major clades: Stygnopsinae and Karosinae, subfam. nov. The following genera are redefined: Stygnopsis, Hoplobunus and Serrobunus stat. rev. The following taxa are described: Iztlina venefica, gen. nov., sp. nov. and Tonalteca, gen. nov. Additionally, the following changes are proposed: Serrobunus queretarius (Šilhavý, 1974), comb. nov., Stygnopsis apoalensis (Goodnight &amp; Goodnight, 1973), comb. nov., Stygnopsis mexicana (Roewer, 1915), comb. nov., Stygnopsis oaxacensis (Goodnight &amp; Goodnight, 1973), comb. nov., and Tonalteca spinooculorum (Goodnight &amp; Goodnight, 1973), comb. nov. We also discuss the status of the genera Isaeus stat. rev. and Mexotroglinus. Finally, we discuss the evolution of male genitalia and convergence of selected homoplastic diagnostic characters.



2003 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Randy E. Edwards ◽  
Kenneth J. Sulak ◽  
Michael T. Randall ◽  
Churchill B. Grimes


<em>Abstract.</em>—A 19-year mark–recapture database was used to estimate yearly recruitment of Gulf sturgeon <em>Acipenser oxyrinchus desotoi</em> in the Suwannee River, Florida, using a length–age equation derived from known-age fish. Yearly recruitment information was then transformed into a relative year-class strength index, which was analyzed against monthly river flow. Recruitment was positively correlated with high monthly mean flow in September and December. It is postulated that the correlation is the result of increased survival of late-winter estuarine-feeding age-0 juveniles during high-flow years.



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