Investigation of alternative lampricide treatments offers insights into lake sturgeon physiology

Session: 10. - Physiology and Conservation of Sturgeon in the Great Lakes

Oana Birceanu, Wilfrid Laurier Univ., Dept. of Biology, [email protected]
Heather Bauman, Wilfrid Laurier University, [email protected]
Lisa O'Connor, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, [email protected]
Michael Wilkie, Wilfrid Laurier University, Dept. Biology, [email protected]

Abstract

The lampricide 3-trifluoromethyl-4-nitrophenol (TFM) is applied to streams infested with larval sea lamprey (Petromyzon marinus) as part of lamprey control efforts in the Great Lakes. However, the TFM sensitivity of larval lamprey and juvenile lake sturgeon (Acipenser fulvescens) overlaps, which can lead to non-target mortality, particularly during early development. We exposed lamprey and juvenile sturgeon to lower TFM concentrations for a longer time (“long and low”) to determine if this alternative approach protected sturgeon from TFM toxicity. Lamprey and sturgeon were treated with either the 9h or 24h minimum lethal concentration of TFM (MLC) of the lamprey. Both treatments killed all sea lamprey, with substantially higher sturgeon mortality (~ 80%) observed at the 9h MLC. However, mortality was markedly reduced when sturgeon were exposed to the 24h MLC over 24h. Analysis of the muscle and liver revealed that the TFM detoxification capacity of the sturgeon was overwhelmed at higher TFM concentrations, but not when the “long and low” approach was used. Analysis of the physiological effects of the “long and low” also offered new insights into sturgeon physiology. We conclude that the “long and low” regimen is an effective alternative lampricide treatment method for sturgeon nursery streams.

1. Keyword
bioenergetics

2. Keyword
biotransformation

3. Keyword
conservation

4. Additional Keyword
sturgeon

5. Additional Keyword
lampricides

6. Additional Keyword
lamprey