Using the robust design framework and relative abundance to predict the population size of pallid sturgeon <scp><i>Scaphirhynchus albus</i></scp> in the lower Missouri River

Steffensen, Kirk D.; Powell, Larkin A.; Pegg, Mark A.

doi:10.1111/jfb.13457

Cited by 7 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 31 publications

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“…The pallid sturgeon Augmentation Program has increased the overall pallid sturgeon population in the lower Missouri River. Steffensen, Powell, and Pegg () predicted the current pallid sturgeon population in the lower Missouri River at approximately 13,616 ( SE ± 7,142) fish in 2015; whereas comparatively, Wu and Halon () estimated the entire pallid sturgeon population at 5,655 (95% CI = 4,273–7,572) using data from 2006 to 2010. Both these population estimates combined wild‐origin and hatchery‐reared, but Steffensen, Pegg, and Mestl () reported that hatchery‐reared fish were captured at a much higher frequency ranging from 3.5 to 5.9:1 wild‐origin fish.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Post‐stocking pallid sturgeon Scaphirhynchus albus growth, dispersal, and survival in the lower Missouri River

2018

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Summary Hatchery augmentation has been used to mitigate declines in fish populations worldwide, especially for sturgeon species. Information regarding stocking success including survival, dispersal, and growth of sturgeon post‐stocking may refine sturgeon augmentation programs and facilitate recovery. Pallid sturgeon Scaphirhynchus albus populations have been supplemented by hatchery‐reared stocks for 25 years in the Missouri River, USA. We assessed survival, dispersal patterns, and growth characteristics of post‐stocked pallid sturgeon in the lower Missouri River. Hatchery‐reared pallid sturgeon stocked at age‐1 (4.1%) and > age‐1 (2.9%) were recaptured at a higher frequency than fish stocked at age‐0 (0.3%). Post‐stocking dispersal patterns suggested dispersal range increase as age increased, but individuals tended to remain in the same river segment as their stocking location. Growth rates varied by year class with younger year classes having truncated growth trajectories compared to older year classes. Post‐stock survival of pallid sturgeon varied by age‐at‐stocking and suggest age‐1 survival has declined through time. Augmentation of pallid sturgeon may benefit from considering dispersal from stocking location and by stocking older individuals which appear to have increased survival post‐stocking. A better understanding regarding environmental drivers of growth and specific habitat features used is needed to better predict optimal timing and location of future stockings.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Post‐stocking pallid sturgeon Scaphirhynchus albus growth, dispersal, and survival in the lower Missouri River

2018

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“…Researchers utilized data collected by the Pallid Sturgeon Population Assessment Project (PSPAP) and targeted broodstock collection activities from 2003 to 2015 Steffensen et al 2017; Data S1, Supplemental Material). Sampling occurred in the main-stem Missouri River downstream of Gavins Point Dam (rkm 1,305.1) to the confluence of the Missouri and Mississippi rivers (rkm 0.0) and lower reaches of the major tributaries, including the James, Big Sioux, Platte, Kansas, Grand, and Osage rivers ( Figure 1).…”

Section: Sampling Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Researchers used common handling protocols throughout the Missouri River basin; these included a suite of gears that effectively captured all size classes of Pallid Sturgeon Steffensen et al 2017). All collection efforts conformed to the USFWS Pallid Sturgeon Handling Protocols and were permitted under USFWS handling permits.…”

Section: Sampling Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Evidence of Limited Recruitment of Pallid Sturgeon in the Lower Missouri River

Steffensen

Chojnacki

Kalie

et al. 2019

Journal of Fish and Wildlife Management

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Pallid Sturgeon Scaphirhynchus albus are endemic to the Missouri and Mississippi river basins and are rare throughout their range. The species was listed as federally endangered with little to no evidence of natural recruitment. Since population augmentation was initiated as a recovery objective in the early 1990s, thousands of hatchery-origin Pallid Sturgeon have been stocked in the lower Missouri River (Gavins Point Dam [river kilometer 1,305.1] to the confluence of the Mississippi River [river kilometer 0.0]). Efforts to discriminate natural reproduction and recruitment of wild-origin Pallid Sturgeon from hatchery-origin fish has been hampered by tag loss in hatchery-origin sturgeon, inconsistent documentation of hatchery parental crosses, and the failure to collect tissue samples for genotyping all broodstock. However, the recent reconstruction of missing parental genotypes from known hatchery-origin progeny and from cryopreserved milt made it possible to examine Pallid Sturgeon recruitment. Therefore, our objectives were to 1) determine the likelihood that unmarked Pallid Sturgeon captured from the lower Missouri River were the result of natural recruitment and 2) examine the length distribution of wild- and hatchery-origin fish to determine if a difference exists by origin and examine the life-stage distribution. Genetic analysis showed that from 2003 to 2015, 358 “presumptive wild-origin” Pallid Sturgeon were captured in the lower Missouri River and the comparison between the length distributions of wild- and hatchery-origin fish did not provide any additional clarification into potential wild-origin fish. Low recruitment may be due to a small breeding population, high mortality of early life stages, hybridization with Shovelnose Sturgeon Scaphirhynchus platorynchus, or transport of drifting free embryos or larvae into inhospitable habitats. Determining what factors are limiting recruitment is the important next step for the recovery of Pallid Sturgeon in the lower Missouri River.

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“…Since 2003, NGPC has been a participating agency in the Pallid Sturgeon Population Assessment Program (PS-PAP), which is the main Pallid Sturgeon monitoring program on the Missouri River which monitors the relative abundance of benthic fish species with a suite of gears . Additionally in early-April 2008 through 2017, NGPC has conducted an intensive sampling effort to collect adult Pallid Sturgeon for the lower Missouri River Supplementation Program (Steffensen et al 2017b). These reproductively ready adult fish are transferred and spawned at hatchery facilities to provide progeny to supplement the Pallid Sturgeon population.…”

Section: Capture Informationmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Steffensen and Mestl (2016) hypothesized the poor condition recently observed has caused Pallid Sturgeon to limit the frequency of becoming reproductively ready and possibly delay sexual maturation. More concerning, Pallid Sturgeon capture research article rates and population estimates have declined, despite the ongoing Supplementation Program (Steffensen et al 2017b), which may indicate increased mortality rates or higher rates of emigration from the lower Missouri River. However, evidence of increased emigration is lacking as Pallid Sturgeon capture frequencies are not increasing in other reaches of the lower Missouri River (K. Steffensen, unpublished data).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Potential Minimum Threshold for Pallid Sturgeon Relative Condition in the Lower Missouri River

Steffensen¹

2018

Transactions of the Nebraska Academy of Sciences and Affiliated Societies

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Pallid Sturgeon (Scaphirhynchus albus) condition has declined in the lower Missouri River but the cause and the effects of this decline remain uncertain. Adult Pallid Sturgeon are becoming reproductively ready less frequently and sub-adult Pallid Sturgeon are likely delaying sexual maturation. Even more concerning, Pallid Sturgeon capture rates have declined the past two years (i.e., 2016 and 2017), despite the ongoing Pallid Sturgeon stocking program. Several Pallid Sturgeon that have been captured are visually emaciated but a minimum condition threshold has not been described. Therefore, the aim of this study is to present a potential lethal condition level for adult Pallid Sturgeon in the lower Missouri River then determine the capture frequency of Pallid Sturgeon below this assumed minimum condition threshold to test the validity of this hypothesis. Based on the mortality of an individual female adult Pallid Sturgeon held in captivity, mortality occurred when condition was 0.71. This potential minimum threshold is further supported with very few adult Pallid Sturgeon captured below this predicted minimum threshold. Using the minimum condition threshold established here to continue monitoring the Pallid Sturgeon population and the occurrence of individuals below this condition level could help managers better address factors hindering Pallid Sturgeon recovery.

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Using the robust design framework and relative abundance to predict the population size of pallid sturgeon Scaphirhynchus albus in the lower Missouri River

Cited by 7 publications

References 31 publications

Post‐stocking pallid sturgeon Scaphirhynchus albus growth, dispersal, and survival in the lower Missouri River

Post‐stocking pallid sturgeon Scaphirhynchus albus growth, dispersal, and survival in the lower Missouri River

Evidence of Limited Recruitment of Pallid Sturgeon in the Lower Missouri River

Potential Minimum Threshold for Pallid Sturgeon Relative Condition in the Lower Missouri River

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