Divergent migration within lake sturgeon (Acipenser fulvescens) populations: Multiple distinct patterns exist across an unrestricted migration corridor
October 25, 2017
- Population structure, distribution, abundance, and dispersal arguably underpin the entire field of animal ecology, with consequences for regional species persistence, and provision of ecosystem services. Divergent migration behaviours among individuals or among populations is an important aspect of the ecology of highly-mobile animals, allowing populations to exploit spatially- or temporally-distributed food and space resources.
- This study investigated the spatial ecology of lake sturgeon (Acipenser fulvescens) within the barrier free Huron-Erie Corridor (HEC), which connects Lake Huron and Lake Erie of the North American Laurentian Great Lakes.
- Over six years (2011 – 2016), movements of 268 lake sturgeon in the HEC were continuously monitored across the Great Lakes using acoustic telemetry (10 yr battery life acoustic transmitters). Five distinct migration behaviours were identified with hierarchical cluster analysis, based on the phenology and duration of river and lake use.
- Lake sturgeon in the HEC were found to contain a high level of intraspecific divergent migration, including partial migration with the existence of residents. Specific behaviours included year-round river residency and multiple lake-migrant behaviours that involved movements between lakes and rivers. Over 85% of individuals were assign to migration behaviours as movements were consistently repeated over the study, which suggested migration behaviours were consistent and persistent in lake sturgeon. Differential use of specific rivers or lakes by acoustic-tagged lake sturgeon further subdivided individuals into 14 “contingents” (spatiotemporally segregated subgroups).
- Contingents associated with one river (Detroit or St. Clair) were rarely detected in the other river, which confirmed that lake sturgeon in the Detroit and St. Clair represent two semi-independent populations that could require separate management consideration for their conservation. The distribution of migration behaviours did not vary between populations, sexes, body size, or among release locations, which indicated that intrapopulation variability in migratory behaviour is a general feature of the spatial ecology of lake sturgeon in un-fragmented landscapes.
Citation Information
| Publication Year | 2018 |
|---|---|
| Title | Divergent migration within lake sturgeon (Acipenser fulvescens) populations: Multiple distinct patterns exist across an unrestricted migration corridor |
| DOI | 10.1111/1365-2656.12772 |
| Authors | Steven T. Kessel, Darryl W. Hondorp, Christopher Holbrook, James C. Boase, Justin A. Chiotti, Michael V. Thomas, Todd C. Wills, Edward F. Roseman, Richard Drouin, Charles C. Krueger |
| Publication Type | Article |
| Publication Subtype | Journal Article |
| Series Title | Journal of Animal Ecology |
| Index ID | 70192375 |
| Record Source | USGS Publications Warehouse |
| USGS Organization | Great Lakes Science Center |
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Acoustic telemetry detection data for acoustic-tagged lake sturgeon (Acipenser fulvescens) in the Lake Huron-to-Lake Erie corridor
Acoustic telemetry is a popular tool for the study of fish spatial ecology. In acoustic telemetry, fish are captured, surgically implanted with an acoustic transmitter or "tag", and then released back into the environment. Networks of autonomous, stationary receivers then are used to track the movements of tagged individuals over long periods of time (greater than 1 year). Each acoustic...
Christopher M Holbrook, PhD
Research Fisheries Biologist
Research Fisheries Biologist
Email
Phone
Ext
0124
Related
Acoustic telemetry detection data for acoustic-tagged lake sturgeon (Acipenser fulvescens) in the Lake Huron-to-Lake Erie corridor
Acoustic telemetry is a popular tool for the study of fish spatial ecology. In acoustic telemetry, fish are captured, surgically implanted with an acoustic transmitter or "tag", and then released back into the environment. Networks of autonomous, stationary receivers then are used to track the movements of tagged individuals over long periods of time (greater than 1 year). Each acoustic...
Christopher M Holbrook, PhD
Research Fisheries Biologist
Research Fisheries Biologist
Email
Phone
Ext
0124