Abstracts Category : Other

Effects of temperature and hydrology on growth and recruitment of Shovelnose Sturgeon in the lower Mississippi River

by Jared McCarty Porter

I evaluated the effects of thermal and hydrologic conditions on growth and recruitment of Shovelnose Sturgeon (<i>Scaphirhynchus platorynchus</i>) in the lower Mississippi River and assessed mortality. Duration of water temperatures 12-24C had a positive influence and temperatures below 11C had a negative influence on annual growth. Duration of water temperatures above 28C, duration of floodplain inundation, duration of low water, and minimum and maximum river stage did not influence annual growth. Duration of water temperatures 18-20C and 18-24C had a positive influence on recruitment, and duration of temperatures at and below 10C had a negative influence on recruitment. Duration of days above 5, 6, 7, 8, and 8.9 m on the Vicksburg, MS river gage did not influence recruitment. Annual mortality was 28%. Growth and recruitment of Shovelnose Sturgeon in the lower Mississippi River appear to be positively influenced by duration of moderate water temperatures and minimally influenced by hydrologic conditions. Advisors/Committee Members: Dr. Peter J. Allen (chair), Dr. Leandro E. Miranda (committee member), Dr. Harold L. Schramm, Jr. (committee member).