Missouri Fish and Wildlife Information System

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Taxonomy

Common Name: STURGEON, PALLID

Phylum: CHORDATA

Class: OSTEICHTHYES

Order: ACIPENSERIFORMES

Family: ACIPENSERIDAE

Genus: SCAPHIRHYNCHUS

Species: ALBUS

Taxonomic Authority: (FORBES and RICHARDSON)

Taxonomy References: 002

Status

FEDERAL ENDANGERED
NONGAME
STATE ENDANGERED
STATE RANK S1
GLOBAL RANK G1

Status References: 001 , 003 , 007 , 014 , 019

Habitat Summary

"Inhabits large, turbid rivers with swift current and firm sand or gravel bottom."

Primary Habitat: "Aquatic - river/stream"

References: 001 , 008 , 009

Distribution

General Occurrence in State:

"Confined principally to the Missouri and lower Mississippi R. *01*. Are rarely found but widely distributed *11*."

County Occurance

County Occurence
Known	Unknown	Not Likely
ATCHISON	ANDREW	ADAIR
BOONE	CAPE GIRARDEAU	AUDRAIN
BUCHANAN	CARROLL	BARRY
CALLAWAY	CHARITON	BARTON
CLAY	COOPER	BATES
COLE	FRANKLIN	BENTON
JACKSON	GASCONADE	BOLLINGER
MISSISSIPPI	HOLT	BUTLER
MONITEAU	HOWARD	CALDWELL
PEMISCOT	JEFFERSON	CAMDEN
PERRY	LAFAYETTE	CARTER
STE. GENEVIEVE	MONTGOMERY	CASS
	NEW MADRID	CEDAR
	OSAGE	CHRISTIAN
	PLATTE	CLARK
	RAY	CLINTON
	SALINE	CRAWFORD
	SCOTT	DADE
	ST. CHARLES	DALLAS
	ST. LOUIS	DAVIESS
	WARREN	DEKALB
		DENT
		DOUGLAS
		DUNKLIN
		GENTRY
		GREENE
		GRUNDY
		HARRISON
		HENRY
		HICKORY
		HOWELL
		IRON
		JASPER
		JOHNSON
		KNOX
		LACLEDE
		LAWRENCE
		LEWIS
		LINCOLN
		LINN
		LIVINGSTON
		MACON
		MADISON
		MARIES
		MARION
		MCDONALD
		MERCER
		MILLER
		MONROE
		MORGAN
		NEWTON
		NODAWAY
		OREGON
		OZARK
		PETTIS
		PHELPS
		PIKE
		POLK
		PULASKI
		PUTNAM
		RALLS
		RANDOLPH
		REYNOLDS
		RIPLEY
		SCHUYLER
		SCOTLAND
		SHANNON
		SHELBY
		ST. CLAIR
		ST. FRANCOIS
		STODDARD
		STONE
		SULLIVAN
		TANEY
		TEXAS
		VERNON
		WASHINGTON
		WAYNE
		WEBSTER
		WORTH
		WRIGHT

References for distribution: 001 , 006 , 010 , 012

Distribution by Watersheds

Miss. R. from St. Louis to River Aux Vases
Miss. R. from River Aux Vases to Ohio R.
Miss R. from Ohio R. to Arkansas Border
Mo. R. from Iowa Border to Nishnabotna R.
Mo.R. from Nodaway to Kansas City
Mo. R. from Kansas City to Little Chariton R.
Mo. R. from Little Chariton R. to Gasconade R.

Comments: ""

Distribution by Ecoregions

Central Till Plains, Mississippi River Alluvial Plains

Comments: ""

Distribution by Potential Natural Vegetation

Bluestem Prairie/Oak Hickory Forest
Oak-Hickory Forest

Distribution by Natural Divisions of Missouri

Glaciated Plains: Western
Glaciated Plains: Eastern
Glaciated Plains: Lincoln Hills
Big Rivers
Big Rivers: Upper Missouri
Big Rivers: Lower Missouri
Big Rivers: Upper Mississippi
Big Rivers: Lower Mississippi
Mississippi Lowlands: Lowlands
Osage Plains

Habitat Associations

Species is associated with "Aquatic" habitats.

National Wetlands Inventory Association:

Riverine

Aquatic Associations:

"Riverine, lower perennial", "Unconsolidated bottom, cobble/gravel"
"Riverine, lower perennial", "Unconsolidated bottom, sand"

References for Aquatic Associations: 001 , 008 , 009

Habitat Types:

Permanent Stream

References for Habitat Types: 004

Terrestrial Natural Communities:

References for Terrestrial Natural Communities:

Food Habits

Trophic Level:

"Carnivore"

Larval Food Habits

Comments for larval food habits:
""

References for larval food habits:

Juvenile Food Habits

Trichoptera (caddisflies); Not Specified
Diptera (flies, midges, mosquitos, gnats); Not Specified
Cypriniformes (minnows, carps, suckers); Not Specified
Detritus (organic); Not Specified
Ephemeroptera (mayflies); Not Specified

Comments for Juvenile Food Habits:
""

References Juvenile Food Habits 023

Adult Food Habits

Trichoptera (caddisflies); Larva stage
Aquatic Insects; Larva stage
Diptera (flies, midges, mosquitos, gnats); Not Specified
Osteichthyes (bony fishes); Not Specified
Aquatic Insects; Not Specified
Plants; Not Specified
Molluscs; Not Specified
Insects Insects; Not Specified
Ephemeroptera (mayflies); Not Specified
Odonata (dragonflies, damselflies); Not Specified

Comments for Adult Food Habits:
""

References Adult Food Habits 001 , 008 , 009 , 011

Niche Requirements

Egg Niche Requirements

References for egg niches requirements:

Feeding Larvae Niche Requirements

References for feeding larvae niche requirements:

Resting Larvae Niche Requirements

References for resting Larvae niche requirements:

Feeding Juvenile Niche Requirements

Turbidity: high turbidity
Siltation specified in comments(00050)
Bottom type: sand
Bottom type: gravel
Current velocity: swift current
Water level: permanently flooded
Inland wetlands: permanent stream

References for feeding juvenile niche requirements: 001 , 008 , 009 , 010

Resting Juvenile Niche Requirements

Siltation specified in comments(00050)

References for resting juvenile niche requirements: 001 , 008 , 009 , 010

Breeding Adult Niche Requirements

References for feeding Adult niche requirements: 001 , 008 , 009 , 010

Feeding Adult Niche Requirements

Water temperature specified in comments(00010)
Dissolved oxygen specified in comments(00020)
Turbidity: high turbidity
Turbidity specified in comments(00040)
Siltation specified in comments(00050)
Bottom type: sand
Bottom type: gravel
Bottom type specified in comments(00100)
Current velocity: swift current
Current velocity specified in comments(00150)
Big river habitat: main channel
Big river habitat specified in comments(00175)
Water level: permanently flooded
Water depth specified in comments(00230)
Inland wetlands: permanent stream
Stream order: ninth order or greater stream

References for feeding adult niche requirements: 001 , 008 , 009 , 010 , 011 , 014 , 015 , 017 , 018

Resting Adult Niche Requirements

References for resting adult niche requirements: 001 , 008 , 009 , 010 , 011

Niche Requirement Summary

Big river habitat specified in comments(00175)
Big river habitat: main channel
Bottom type specified in comments(00100)
Bottom type: gravel
Bottom type: sand
Current velocity specified in comments(00150)
Current velocity: swift current
Dissolved oxygen specified in comments(00020)
Inland wetlands: permanent stream
Siltation specified in comments(00050)
Stream order: ninth order or greater stream
Stream width specified in comments(00265)
Turbidity specified in comments(00040)
Turbidity: high turbidity
Water depth specified in comments(00230)
Water level: permanently flooded
Water temperature specified in comments(00010)

Comments about Life History:

Code	Comment
038	May live more than 10 years 14.
003	In MO study, usually taken with shovelnose sturgeon 11.
012	Spawning site information unavailable.
022	Males mature at 53.3 -58.4 cm, usually between 7-9 years. Females mature between 15 and 20 years, have 3-10 year intervals between spawnings 14.
028	In MT study, home range 0-331.2 km; winter home ranges were significantly smaller than other seasons, averaged .9 km 18.
099	Will hybridize with shovelnose sturgeon 11. Early reports indicate specimens weighing as much as 65 pounds were formerly taken in the MO R., however, individuals weighing more than 10 pounds were uncommon 01.
039	A MO study found individuals 480-895 mm that weighed .36-2.66 kg 11.
041	Fecundity of a female from the upper Missouri R. was 170,000 (11.4% of body weight) 16.

Life History Information

Home range size specified in comments(028)
Age and growth information specified in comments(038)
Length-weight relationships specified in comments(039)
Fecundity specified in comments(041)
Other life history information specified in comments(099)
Origin in state: native
Seasonal distribution in state: all seasons
Closely associated plant or animal species specified in comments(003)
Foraging strategy: gleaning
Foraging sites: water
Spawning site specified in comments(012)
Age at sexual maturity specified in comments(022)

Comments about Life History:

Code	Comment
038	May live more than 10 years 14.
003	In MO study, usually taken with shovelnose sturgeon 11.
012	Spawning site information unavailable.
022	Males mature at 53.3 -58.4 cm, usually between 7-9 years. Females mature between 15 and 20 years, have 3-10 year intervals between spawnings 14.
028	In MT study, home range 0-331.2 km; winter home ranges were significantly smaller than other seasons, averaged .9 km 18.
099	Will hybridize with shovelnose sturgeon 11. Early reports indicate specimens weighing as much as 65 pounds were formerly taken in the MO R., however, individuals weighing more than 10 pounds were uncommon 01.
039	A MO study found individuals 480-895 mm that weighed .36-2.66 kg 11.
041	Fecundity of a female from the upper Missouri R. was 170,000 (11.4% of body weight) 16.

References for life history: 001 , 008 , 011 , 014 , 016 , 018

Management

Beneficial Management Practices:

Water - control pollution (thermal, physical, chemical)
Water - develop/maintain submerged brush/timber/debris, etc.

Beneficial Management References: 014

Adverse Managment Practices:

Water - control sedimentation
Water - navigational improvements (channelization, dams, locks)
Water - stream channelization

Adverse Management References: 009 , 014

Comments on Management:
Alteration of big rivers detrimental because alterations block fish movement, destroy or alter spawning sites, reduce food sources, alter water temperature and reduce turbidity *14*. recovery plan recommends: restore large woody debris to large rivers, reconnect cutoffs to main river channels, restore sediment transport, controll pollution, protect important habitat areas, and restore nature temperature regimes (hypolimnetic releases from dams cause decreased water temperature downstream) *14*. Should avoid channel alterations that limit or eliminate shallow, sloping bank habitat. Channel island tips should not be altered. *20* Loss of backwater habitat may affect reproduction and recruitment *021*.

References for Management Comments: 014 , 020 , 021

References

Reference Code	Citation
001	Pflieger, W.L. 1997. The Fishes Of Missouri, Revised Edition. MO Dept. Of Conservation. Jefferson City, Mo. 372 Pp.
002	Nelson, Joseph S., Edwin J. Crossman, Héctor Espinosa-Pérez, Lloyd T. Findley, Carter R. Gilbert, Robert N. Lea, and James D. Williams. 2004. Common And Scientific Names Of Fishes From The United States, Canada and Mexico (6th Ed.). Amer. Fish Soc. Spec. Publ. No. 29. 386 pp.
003	The Wildlife Code of Missouri. Missouri Department of Conservation, P.O. Box 180, Jefferson City, MO 65102. 573-751-4115.
004	Kelly, G. (Ed.) 1986. Animal Habitat Relations Handbook. Mo Dept. Of Conservation and U.S.D.A. Forest Service. Jefferson City, Mo. 293 Pp.
005	Thom, R.H. and J.H. Wilson. 1980 The Natural Divisions Of Missouri. Trans. Mo Acad. Sci. 14:9-24.
006	Unpb Pflieger, W.L. Mo Dept. Of Conservation, 1110 S. College Ave., Columbia, Mo 65201. (573-882-9880).
007	The Checklist Of Rare And Endangered Species Of Missouri. 1991. Mo Dept. Of Conservation. Jefferson City, Mo. 44 Pp.
008	Smith, P.W. 1979. The Fishes Of Illinois. Univ. Ill. Press. Urbana, Chicago, and London. 314 Pp.
009	Cross, F.B. 1967. Handbook Of Fishes Of Kansas. Univ. Ks Mus. Nat. Hist. Misc. Publ. 45. 357 Pp.
010	Unpb Pflieger, W.L. The Stream Resources Of Missouri. D-J Project F-1-R-28. Study S-20. Mo Dept. Of Conserv., 1110 S. College Ave., Columbia, Mo 65201. (573-882-9880).
011	Carlson, D.M. and W.L. Pflieger. 1981. Abundance And Life History Of The Lake, Pallid, And Shovelnose Sturgeons In Missouri. D-J Proj. Se-1-6, Job No. 1.
012	Unpb Missouri Department of Conservation Heritage Database. P.O. Box 180, Jefferson City, Mo 65102.
013	Pflieger, W.L. 1989. Aquatic Community Classification System For Missouri. Mo Dept. Of Conservation. Aquatic Series No. 19. 70 Pp + Supplement.
014	U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 1993. Pallid Sturgeon Recovery Plan. U.S. Fish and Wildl. Serv., Bismark, Nd. 55 Pp.
015	Watson, J.H. and P.A. Stewart. 1991. Lower Yellowstone River Pallid Sturgeon Study. Montana Dept. Of Fish, Wildl. and Parks And U.S. Bureau Of Reclaimation. Grant Agreement No. 1-F6-60-01840. 30 Pp.
016	Keenlyne, K.D., E.M. Grossman and L.G. Jenkins. 1992. Fecundity Of The Pallid Sturgeon. Trans. Amer. Fish. Soc. 121:139-140.
017	Unpb Gelwicks, G.T. 1995. Fish Movement Between The Lower Missouri River And A Managed Floodplain Wetland In Missouri. M.S. Thesis, Univ. Of Missouri-Columbia. 190 Pp.
018	Unpb Bramblett, R.G. 1996. Habitats And Movements Of Pallid And Shovelnose Sturgeons In The Yellowstone And Missouri Rivers, Montana And North Dakota. Pd.D. Diss., Montana State Univ., Bozeman. 242 Pp.
019	Missouri Natural Heritage Program. 2004. Missouri Species and Communities of Conservation Concern Checklist. Missouri Department Of Conservation. Jefferson City, Missouri. 47 Pp.
020	Missouri Department Of Conservation. Best Management Practices: Pallid Sturgeon. Mo Dept. Conservation, Jefferson City, Mo.}
021	Barko, V.A. and D.P. Herzog. 2003. Relationship among side channels, fish assemblages, and environmental gradients in the unimpounded upper Missouri River. Journal of Freshwater Ecology 18(3): 377-382.
022	Adams, S.R. and G.L. Adams. 2003. Critical swimming speed and behavior of juvenile shovelnose sturgeon and pallid sturgeon. Trans. Am. Soc. Fish. 132(2):392-397.
023	Gerrity, P.C. and C.S. Guy. 2006. Juvenile pallid sturgeon are piscivorous: A call for conserving native cyprinids. Transactions of the American Fisheries Society 135: 604-609.