The effect of substratum type on aspects of swimming performance and behaviour in shortnose sturgeonAcipenser brevirostrum

Abstract

The swimming performance and associated swimming behaviour (i.e. substratum-skimming, station-holding and free swimming) were assessed in shortnose sturgeon Acipenser brevirostrum during critical swimming and endurance swimming tests over a rough and a smooth substratum. It was hypothesized that the addition of a rough substratum in the swimming flume may provide a surface for the A. brevirostrum to grip and offer an energetic advantage. Substratum type did not affect the critical swimming performance, but A. brevirostrum consistently performed more bottom behaviours (i.e. substratum-skimming and station-holding) while on a smooth substratum. Acipenser brevirostrum had little contact with the rough substratum until the velocity was >1 body length s . Endurance swimming time was significantly lower for A. brevirostrum over the rough bottom at the highest velocity (30 cm s ) which may be attributed to the observed increase in free swimming and decrease in bottom behaviours. During endurance swimming, the rough substratum was mainly used at intermediate velocities, suggesting that there may be a stability cost associated with being in contact with the rough substratum at certain velocities.

Substrate roughening improves swimming performance in two small-bodied riverine fishes: implications for culvert remediation and design

“…High intensities of TKE can increase the energetic cost of swimming (Enders et al ., 2005) and disorientate/unbalance fish (Tritico and Cotel, 2010). For example, a velocity-dependent cost was identified over pebbled substrates, whereby endurance was reduced and bottom-swimming behaviours were down-regulated at high speeds, suggesting stability was reduced compared to smooth substrates (May and Kieffer, 2017). Alternatively, low intensities of TKE can improve swimming performance if fish exploit low-velocity zones (Powers et al ., 1997; Johnson et al ., 2012).…”

“…station-holding and substratum-skimming) are expected to derive a greater net benefit from substrate roughening than fishes reliant on BCF modes, as these energy-saving behaviours are largely ineffective on smooth surfaces (Kieffer et al ., 2009). Bottom-swimming behaviours are increased at intermediate velocities over rough compared to smooth substrates in a number of species (Adams et al ., 2003; May and Kieffer, 2017). The behaviours underpinning improved performance here remain unidentified and fine-scale behavioural trials are required to determine if station-holding or kármán gaiting are altered by varied combinations of substrate treatments and water velocities.…”

Effects of Substrate on Movement Patterns and Behavior of Stream Fish through Culverts: An Experimental Approach

“…Longnose dace are widely distributed across North America [48]. Like other benthic omnivores [28,29,45,47], they exhibit bracing behavior in high velocities, allowing them to endure powerful flows without large increases in energy expenditure [25,45,49]. Southern leatherside chub co-occur with longnose dace in streams in central Utah, USA, as midwater carnivores [50].…”

“…Although the passage success of salmonids has historically been prioritized due to commercial value, scientists are now recognizing the importance of passage for other fish species [18,19]. In recent years, studies on lampreys [20][21][22], perch [1,12,23,24], sculpins [25], sturgeon [26][27][28][29], cyprinids [30,31], and galaxiids [32] have increased our knowledge on non-salmonid fish passage. Some species of small-bodied fish exhibit behavioral adaptations that facilitate upstream passage through high-velocity zones by using low-velocity paths.…”

Utilising the boundary layer to help restore the connectivity of fish habitats and populations

“…Fishway research has focused predominately on large bodied, commercially important species like salmon and sturgeon (e.g. Bates and Powers 1998;Taguchi and Liao 2011;Johnson et al 2012;Lacey et al 2012, Downie and Kieffer 2017, May and Kieffer, 2017, Erkinaro et al 2017, with small bodied and juvenile fishes representing an important knowledge gap. Small-bodied fish species represent the most threatened size range of fish (Kalinkat et al 2017, Olden et al 2007, Ripple et al 2017, the loss of which would have lasting impacts on ecosystem functionality, health and services (Mouillot et al 2013, Rodríguez-Lozano et al 2015.…”