Reconstruction of the historical distribution of sturgeons (Acipenseridae) in the eastern North Atlantic based on ancientDNAand bone morphology of archaeological remains: implications for conservation and restoration programmes

Abstract

Aim In the 19th/early 20th century, overfishing caused a drastic decline and finally extinction of the local sturgeon populations in the eastern Atlantic. To date, it is not known whether it was Acipenser sturio or the primarily North American Acipenser oxyrinchus that occurred here. The aim of the study was to show the historical pattern of sturgeon distribution and their diversity in this area over the last 2500 years. This question is essential for international restoration programmes. Location North‐east Atlantic. Methods The study is based on 438 archaeological sturgeon remains from the estuaries of the rivers Rhine, Ems, Weser, Elbe and Eider. All bones were analysed morphologically and in 38 cases genetically by the amplification of two mitochondrial DNA fragments. Results The data from the bones older than 1000 years show that only 1.4% derive from A. sturio. In the south, this species was slightly more frequent. From the Elbe northwards, A. oxyrinchus was for a long time by far the dominant sturgeon species. Main conclusions The genetic identification of the oldest sturgeon bone shows A. oxyrinchus occurred in the north‐eastern Atlantic already 6000 years ago. Consequently, the immigration of this species from North America to Europe occurred even earlier, potentially during the last glacial. The north–south occurrence of the two sturgeon species suggests that the distribution was the result of interspecific competition under different and changing environmental conditions. As previously published, genetic data from about 100‐ to 200‐year‐old museum specimens show strong dominance of A. sturio in the North Sea area, obviously A. oxyrinchus has been replaced in the time between 1000 and 200 years ago. Therefore, the Holocene distribution of sturgeons in the north‐east Atlantic had a complex pattern. Determining the ecological bases of this distribution is important for the justification and success of restoration programmes.

Ancient DNA reveals the Arctic origin of Viking Age cod from Haithabu, Germany

“…Notwithstanding the use of a recently developed extraction protocol aimed to maximize endogenous DNA (54), this rate of success compares favorably to results from mammalian bones whereby the majority of samples-excluding petrous bonestypically yield a few percent endogenous DNA at most (55). Our positive results agree with studies using PCR-based methods that have reported successful amplification from fish bones (56)(57)(58)(59)(60) in some cases up to 10,000 y old (61). The observation that porous, light fish bones can yield whole genome shotgun libraries with high levels of endogenous DNA underscores our lack of understanding of DNA preservation in different types of animal bone.…”

Status of scientific knowledge, recovery progress, and future research directions for the Gulf Sturgeon,Acipenser oxyrinchus desotoiVladykov, 1955

“…Genetic and archeological evidence shows that AS originating from northern North American colonized the Baltic Sea approximately 1200 years ago, flourished, and were exploited by humans until fished out (Ludwig et al., , ; Ludwig and Gessner, ). Additional evidence of further AS excursions to Europe and apparent hybridization with the European Sturgeon has recently been reported (Chassaing et al., ; Nikulina and Schmölcke, ). Records from Bermuda and French Guiana suggest additional trans‐oceanic migrations.…”

An environmental (pre)history of European fishing: past and future archaeological contributions to sustainable fisheries

“…For example, both archaeological and historical data show temporal changes (major reductions) in the distribution of anadromous fishes such as sturgeons Acipenser spp. and salmon Salmo salar L. 1758 in the rivers around the North Sea (Desse‐Berset, ; Lenders et al, ; Nikulina & Schmölcke, ; Thieren et al, ). In the case of Acipenser spp., comparison of past and present further demonstrates that both Acipenser sturio L. 1758 and Acipenser oxyrinchus Mitchill 1815 once occupied European waters.…”

“…In overcoming these challenges (Nicholson, 2000;Nims & Butler, 2018), we are cautiously learning more about the environmental (pre) history of sea fishing in Europe and globally, yielding insights that are of direct relevance to sustainable fisheries today. This paper aims to provide a brief overview of the potential for archaeological analyses to inform our understanding of: Lenders et al, 2016;Nikulina & Schmölcke, 2016;Thieren et al, 2016). In the case of Acipenser spp., comparison of past and present further demonstrates that both Acipenser sturio L. 1758 and Acipenser oxyrinchus Mitchill 1815 once occupied European waters.…”