Effects of the Lampricide, TFM, on Juvenile Lake Sturgeon: Implications for Sea Lamprey Control

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

Michael Wilkie, Wilfrid Laurier University, Dept. Biology, [email protected]
Adrian Ionescu, Wilfrid Laurier University, [email protected]
Scott Hepditch, Wilfrid Laurier University, [email protected]
Oana Birceanu, Wilfrid Laurier Univ., Dept. of Biology, [email protected]
Jonathan Wilson, Wilfrid Laurier University, [email protected]

Abstract

Despite ongoing restoration and conservation efforts, lake sturgeon (Acipenser fulvescens) populations in the Great Lakes remain far below historical levels, due in part to loss and degradation of habitat. There is also concern that larval and fingerling lake sturgeon are adversely affected by the piscicide, 3-trifluoromethyl-4-nitrophenol (TFM), which is applied to streams to control larval sea lampreys (Petromyzon marinus). In lamprey and rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss), TFM interferes with oxygen-dependent ATP production by cellular mitochondria. To better understand how sturgeon respond to lampricide application, the physiology of fingerling sturgeon (mean length 96±5 mm) was assessed during exposure to TFM at concentrations comparable to those used in the field. In brain, TFM exposure resulted in 50-60% reductions in ATP, and the anaerobic fuel phosphocreatine. Simultaneous 50-75% reductions in brain, liver and whole body glycogen, increased brain lactate and whole body pyruvate, and 0.1 to 0.2 unit reductions in tissue intracellular pH, also suggested that ATP production was compromised. We conclude that exposure of lake sturgeon to environmentally-relevant doses of TFM interferes with metabolic fuel use, and alters acid-base balance. Survival likely depends on TFM dose, and the sturgeon’s ability to eliminate the lampricide, which is currently being investigated by our laboratory. 

1. Keyword
invasive species

2. Keyword
fish populations

3. Keyword
metabolism

4. Additional Keyword
fish physiology

5. Additional Keyword
pesticide