Artificial enhancement of sturgeon stock in freshwater reservoirs:A case study on sterlet Acipenser ruthenus of the Kama reservoir

The paper presents the results of the sterlet sturgeon Acipenser ruthenus reintroduction into the Kama Reservoir(Perm Krai,Russia)by sterlet fry from hatcheries into the reservoir since 2001.The effectiveness of hatchery releases was evaluated by monitoring gillnet sampling 2014-2020.The results showed that the species was reported throughout entire Kama Reservoir,which contrasts with 1988-1994 data,when the species was registered only at the upper part of the reservoir near the Kama River mouth.The highest number and biomass values of catch per unit effort(CPUE)of the sterlet were found in submerged river channels-the deepest habitats with flow conditions which are close to the ecological requirements of the species.The distribution of the sterlet within the channel biotopes of the reservoir is defined by reduced variability.The biggest individuals and the widest size range of the sterlet were typical for the upper area of the reservoir and Chusovskoy Bay,which have the greatest flow.The smallest sizes were typical for fish from catches near the dam of the reservoir,which is consistent with the published data on the distribution of sterlet in reservoir conditions.The presented results may indicate the artificial formation of the sterlet stock in the Kama Reservoir maintained by hatchery releases.The revealed distribution of the sterlet in the reservoir determines the direction of further research on natural reproduction and thus formation of an artificially formed population.Also,future studies are required to assess the possibility of hybridization of the sterlet of artificial origin with natural populations of the species,since the low genetic diversity of the sterlet released into the Kama Reservoir which can lead to irreversible loss of genetic individuality of the natural stocks of the species in the catchment of upper course of the Kama River.

Effects of Norfloxacin on the Superoxide Dismutase Activities of 2 Sturgeon Species

[Objective]This study was to investigate the effect of different concentrations of Norfloxacin on the superoxide dismutase （ SOD） activities in the blood plasma and liver tissues of Amur sturgeon （ Acipenser schrencki Brandt） and sterlet （ Acipenser ruthenus Linnaeus） . [Method] Using pharmaco-toxicological evaluation method,Norfloxacin with the concentrations of 0,20,40,60,80 and 100 mg /kg,was orally delivered to the Amur sturgeon and sterlet for 5 d,respectively. The SOD activities in the blood plasma and liver tissues were measured after drug withdrawal for 2 d to explore the optimal dosing concentration of Norfloxacin during sturgeon culture,as well as the effect of Norfloxacin on liver injury. [Result] SOD existed in both two sturgeons but with different amounts,and the SOD activities were higher in the livers than in the blood plasma no matter in the control and all drug delivered groups. Under different drug delivery concentrations,the SOD activities first increased and then decreased in the 2 tissues of the 2 sturgeon species,and the SOD activities reached the maximum when the drug delivery concentration was 40 mg /kg. The drug de- livery concentration had little effect on the SOD activities in the blood plasma,which showed stable changes. When the drug delivery concentration was 40 mg /kg,the SOD activities in the blood plasma of Amur sturgeon were higher than that of sterlet,while for the other concentrations,the SOD activities in the plasma of sterlet showed higher performance. However,the SOD activities changed significantly through drug delivery in the liver tis- sues,and the SOD activities were higher in the sterlet than in the Amur sturgeon when the drug delivery concentrations were 0,40 and 100 mg /kg. The SOD activity in the sterlet was the highest under 40 mg /kg,presenting a sharp peak value. The optimal drug delivery concentration of Norfloxa- cin was 30 -50 mg /kg,under which the Norfloxacin presented best effect and had no injury effect on livers. [Conclusion]This study provides theo- retical basis for the reasonable application of Norfloxacin in aquaculture.