Ontogenetic behavior of Siberian sturgeon, Acipenser baerii: A synthesis between laboratory tests and field data

E. Gisbert, G.I. Ruban-2003

Environmental Biology of Fishes, 67(3): 311-319

Abstract:

We have reviewed field data and studies on the behavior and development of Siberian sturgeon at early-life intervals and related them to different ecologically relevant environmental factors that may play a role in the distribution, recruitment, and survival of young fish. Four behavioral phases (swimming-up, rheotactism, shoaling, and foraging) are observed from hatching to the juvenile phase. Each behavior is associated with an early-life interval and might allow fish to occupy different river habitats, directly influencing their distribution, survival, and recruitment. River current intensity, substrate typology, food resources, and predation pressure seem to be the most important factors affecting the distribution of Siberian sturgeon free embryos and larvae, while juveniles and adult fish disperse and migrate according to food abundance and reproduction. Mechanisms involved in regulating downstream migration during Siberian sturgeon early life stages are different than those observed in anadromous sturgeon species. In all large Siberian rivers, with the exception of the Lake Baikal, the Siberian sturgeon is represented by population continuums, and in many cases the foraging range also includes the spawning areas. Ontogenetic changes in Siberian sturgeon behavior could be interpreted as a species-specific mechanism to maintain the population continuums described in this species without significant mixture of local populations within the river.

(Lab. Acuicultura, Dept. Biologia Animal, Fac. Biologia, Universitat de Barcelona, Av. Diagonal, 645, 08028 Barcelona, Spain; Current address: Unité Mixte INRA-IFREMER de Nutrition des Poissons, Centre de Brest – BP 70, 29280 Plouzané, France, e-mail: enric.gisbert@ifremer.fr)

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