Development and Application of a Larval Pallid Sturgeon Bioenergetics Model

To increase knowledge of larval pallid sturgeon (Scaphirhynchus albus), we developed a bioenergetics model to determine optimal temperature for growth in young-of-year pallid sturgeon.  To parameterize the model, we estimated metabolic demands and growth of pallid sturgeon (0.03-10g) subjected to a range of temperatures commonly found in the Missouri River (13–24°C).  We used static respirometry to quantify routine respiration rate.  Exogenously feeding larvae were fed chironomids over a range of ration levels (0-50% body weight) to determine maximum consumption and estimate growth. Larval pallid sturgeon exhibited a 77% increase in metabolic rates and a 52% increase in consumption rates between 13 and 24°C.  We corroborated the model by regressing the models predicted values against the observed laboratory values and found that our model predicted 96% of the variability of the observed data (p-value<0.001; r²=0.96). The quantification of these bioenergetic parameters allow us to estimate the energetic requirements of larval pallid sturgeon, estimate growth from field observations of temperature, velocity and prey availability, and to determine availability of optimal temperature ranges within the Missouri River.