Shortnose Sturgeon By: Hackney Deans AP Biology

Description of the Shortnose Sturgeon The Shortnose Sturgeon is one of the smallest species of sturgeons, rarely exceeding 1 meter (3 ft) in length. The Adults possess a short, blunt, rounded snout with its mouth on the ventral (bottom) side. They have four rows of bony plates called scutes along their body. Modified armored scales on the head give it a skull like appearance. The Shortnose Sturgeon has a yellow brown to blackish olive dorsal surface, pale- colored scutes, and a white underside.

Circulatory System if the Shortnose Sturgeon The Shortnose Sturgeon has a two chambered heart and uses its gills for gas exchange to be able to breath.

Reproduction The Shortnose Sturgeon uses external fertilization for its reproduction. The female lays her aquatic eggs into the water and the male comes and makes them fertile. The eggs have a squishy outer coating which has adapted to its water environment. Shortnose sturgeon have very specific spawning requirements. All spawning occurs in fresh water within a 1- to 2-week period, from the end of April to the first week of May.

Growth/Development The shortnose sturgeon is the smallest of the three sturgeon species that occur in eastern North America, having a maximum known total length of 4.7 feet and weight of 50.7 pounds. The Females are slightly larger than males and have a much longer life span. The male Shortnose Sturgeons usually live to the age of 30 but the female usually lives to be around 65. Males and females mature at the same length throughout their range; however, age of maturation varies from north to south due to a slower growth rate in the north.

Taxonomy: 1.Kingdom: Animalia 2.Phylum: Chordata 3.Class: Osteichthyes 4.Order: Acipenseriformes 5.Family: Acipenseridae 6.Genus: Acipenser 7.Species: brevirostrum

Habitat The suitable habitat for the Shortnose Sturgeon has to be suitability model based on water temperature, velocity, depth, and river substrate type.

Why its Endangered Shortnose sturgeon populations in North America have declined due to overfishing, loss of habitat, limited access to spawning areas and water pollution. The Shortnose Sturgeon have made an extreme come back and is one of few fish to make such a recovery. They are still endangered; however, as recorded in the Hudson River, the population increased almost 400 percent.

Shortnose Sturgeon Trying to save the population.