1 Bibliographic Review of Sources Relevant to Development of Draft ...

Savannah River Annotated Bibliography: January 2003
cross section, and sand substrate. All ages of shortnose selected a range of habitats.
Showed a preference for curves with sand or cobble substrate and avoided runs,
especially in fall, probably because of slow water velocity. Winter habitat selection
patterned the fall, but was less variable.
Kynard, B., and M. Horgan. 2002. Ontogenetic behavior and migration of Atlantic
sturgeon Acipenser oxyrinchus oxyrinchus, and shortnose sturgeon, A. brevirostrum,
with notes on social behavior. Environmental Biology of Fishes. 63, 137-150.
Laboratory studies of embryo and larva temporal and spatial movement patterns of
Hudson River Atlantic sturgeon and Connecticut River shortnose sturgeon were
examined as well as the foraging relationship to body size. Atlantic sturgeon
embryos sought cover in gravel substrate until day eight of development and
shortnose sturgeon emerged as larva at 16-17 days old. Atlantic sturgeon spawn at
rkm 136-182 and larva have a long 1-step migration of 6-12 days. Shortnose
sturgeon spawn at rkm 192-194 and have a long 2 step migration downstream for 3
days. A good review of life history and early life movement patterns is given.
Smith, T.I.J. 1985. The fishery, biology, and management of Atlantic sturgeon, Acipenser
oxyrhynchus, in North America. Environmental Biology of Fishes. 14,61-72.
The decline of the Atlantic sturgeon and the shortnose sturgeon is described here and
landings/ year and landings/ year/ state are presented. A good summary of the
biology at various life stages is presented here. Timing of Atlantic sturgeon
spawning migrations are temperature dependent and adults arrive in inland waters in
February- March. Probable spawning areas for Atlantic sturgeon is in running water
over bottoms containing rocks, rubble, and other hard objects and in pools below
waterfalls. There is evidence that juveniles move progressively into saline waters in
time.
Smith, T.I.J., and J.P. Clugston. 1997. Status and management of Atlantic sturgeon,
Acipenser oxyrinchus, in North America. Environmental Biology of Fishes. 48, 335-
346.
The status and management of Atlantic sturgeon are given a thorough review. They
state that spawning migrations begin in Feb-Mar in the south. Spawning locations
are assumed to be flowing water over hard substrates (rocks, rubble, shale, and
sand). In culture studies, incubation times range from 94 h (20C) to 140 h (18C).
There is some movement of juveniles between river systems. Most juveniles stay in
brackish water near river mouth/ estuarine zone for a number of months or years.
Outlines reasons for decline. In 1982, SC and GA ranked number 1 and 2
respectively in sturgeon harvesting (58 mt total).
Van Den Avyle, M.J. 1984. Species profiles: life histories and environmental
requirements of coastal fishes and invertebrates (South Atlantic) – Atlantic sturgeon.
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. FWS/OBS-82/11.25 U.S. Army Corps of
Engineers, TR IL-82-4. 17 pp.[available at http://www.nwrc.gov/wdb/pub/1048.pdf ]
Additional information in the Atlantic sturgeon species profile suggests that they
gather food off soft bottom substrates. The non-adhesive nature of the eggs suggests
that low-velocity water is necessary for egg development.
Shad and Herring
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