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How lipid content and temperature affect American shad (Alosa sapidissima) attempt rate and sprint swimming: Implications for overcoming migration barriers

March 26, 2019

How seasonal effects such as temperature increases and reduced lipid content affect the ability of anadromous fishes to traverse high-velocity barriers and sprint swimming is poorly understood. We evaluated American shad (Alosa sapidissima) swimming performance in a flume against high flow velocities (2.5–3.7 m·s−1) during the upstream migration period (April–May; temperatures 11.1–21.4 °C) to determine how their willingness to enter a velocity barrier (attempt rate) and their swimming endurance changed during migration. American shad did not make attempts at low temperatures, and attempt rate gradually increased throughout the migration as temperatures warmed. American shad displayed two distinct, nonsustained swimming modes (prolonged and sprint swimming), and endurance was different between sexes. At warmer temperatures, females swam at prolonged speeds more often and longer females displayed a lower endurance. Males primarily swam at sprint speeds and were affected by swimming speed, fork length, and lipid content. Our results indicate that American shad motivation and swimming endurance change over the course of the migration as conditions change, potentially limiting their ability to pass barriers.

Publication Year 2020
Title How lipid content and temperature affect American shad (Alosa sapidissima) attempt rate and sprint swimming: Implications for overcoming migration barriers
DOI 10.1139/cjfas-2018-0406
Authors Shannon Michael Bayse, Stephen D. McCormick, Theodore R. Castro-Santos
Publication Type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Series Title Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
Index ID 70216030
Record Source USGS Publications Warehouse
USGS Organization Leetown Science Center