Persian sturgeon

Taxobox | name = Persian Sturgeon


image_width = 240px
image_caption = "Acipenser persicus"
status = EN | status_system = IUCN2.3
regnum = Animalia
phylum = Chordata
subphylum = Vertebrata
superclassis = Osteichthyes
classis = Actinopterygii
subclassis = Chondrostei
ordo = Acipenseriformes
subordo = Acipenseroidei
familia = Acipenseridae
subfamilia = Acipenserinae
genus = Acipenser
species = "A. persicus"
binomial = "Acipenser persicus"
binomial_authority = Borodin, 1897

The Persian sturgeon ("Acipenser persicus") is an endangered species of sturgeon.

Description

The Persian Sturgeon has an elongated, bulky body with a bluish tint Kuliev, ZM & Ivanova, LA. "Acipenser persicus". Caspian Environment Org (http://www.caspianenvironment.org/biodb/eng/fishes/Acipenser%20persicus/main.htm) Accessed 4/27/2007.] . This type of sturgeon is endemic to the Caspian and Black Sea, but primarily resides in the Caspian Sea. Populations may also occur in tributaries and rivers inbound to the Caspian Sea. Sturgeons are commercially important fishes valuedfor their meat but mainly for their roeAlavi, Sayyed Mohammad Hadi & Cosson, Jacky. Sperm motility and fertilizing ability in the Persiansturgeon Acipenser persicus. Aquaculture Research, 2005, 36, 841-850. Accessed May 1, 2007. ] . Formerly omnipresent in the region, heavy fishing of the sturgeon for caviar has forced it to Endangered Species status Sturgeon Specialist Group 1996. Acipenser persicus. In: IUCN 2006. 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. . Accessed April 27, 2007.] .

Distribution

Distribution in The Caspian Sea
The Persian sturgeon feeds at the shelf zone of the sea, primarily in the eastern part of the South Caspian. Individual species are found in the North Caspian, western part of the Middle and South Caspian Kuliev, ZM & Ivanova, LA. "Acipenser persicus". Caspian Environment Org (http://www.caspianenvironment.org/biodb/eng/fishes/Acipenser%20persicus/main.htm) Accessed April 27, 2007.] .

Ecology

The Persian sturgeon is heterotroph equipped with tactile and gustatory receptors, when feeding it simply sucks in its food. The eating habits of the sturgeon change throughout its life. As it begins life the sturgeon feeds on Mysidae, Chironomidae and Gammaridae. At approximately age 2-3 years many feed on crabs or fish, and finally in adulthood the Persian sturgeon consumption is primarily fish.
The sturgeon mainly reproduces in the Volga, Kura, Araks, and Ural rivers. This sexual reproduction occurs in waters that are 20-25°C Kuliev, ZM & Ivanova, LA. "Acipenser persicus". Caspian Environment Org (http://www.caspianenvironment.org/biodb/eng/fishes/Acipenser%20persicus/main.htm) Accessed April 27, 2007.] . Spawning occurs at different times for the different rivers. There is spawning in the Volga river from late July to early August, in the Krua river from April to mid-September and in the Ural river from June to July. Other than at times of spawning the sturgeon is a bottom dweller in the mud or sand.

Conservation

There are four considerations one must account for when discussing the conservation of the Persian Sturgeon. The regulation of streams and the damming of rivers, the loss of spawning areas, contamination levels of rivers into the Caspian Sea and fishing at sea Kuliev, ZM & Ivanova, LA. "Acipenser persicus". Caspian Environment Org (http://www.caspianenvironment.org/biodb/eng/fishes/Acipenser%20persicus/main.htm) Accessed April 27, 2007.] . Many of the problems for the sturgeon are inflicted by human activity, especially fishing. When fishermans take the Sturgeon out of the sea prematurely they disrupt the ecological cycle by taking out immature fish and decreasing the spawning population. One such solution to this problem would be governmental or non-governmental subsidies to aid hatcheries in the artificial reproduction of the Persian Sturgeon Kuliev, ZM & Ivanova, LA. "Acipenser persicus". Caspian Environment Org (http://www.caspianenvironment.org/biodb/eng/fishes/Acipenser%20persicus/main.htm) Accessed April 27, 2007.] .

References