| Food habits of 213 shortnose sturgeon (Acipenser brevirostrum ) from 2 areas of the Connecticut River (Estuary RKm 1–10 and Wilson RKm 85–90) were studied. Samples were obtained using a skiff trawl from May 31, 2000, to December 21, 2001. Stomach contents were extracted using a flushing technique and preserved. Food was extracted from 77% of the sturgeon that had their stomachs pumped. The amphipod Gammarus spp. and palp worm Scolecolepides spp. were the two most abundant items recovered from the Estuary. Order Ephemeroptera and the clam Pisidium spp. were the two most abundant items recovered from Wilson.; To better understand shortnose sturgeon habitat selection based on available food resources in the Connecticut River 69 benthic grab samples were collected. Data from benthic samples was compared to stomach contents data to determine an index of habitat quality. Analysis of benthic samples showed Gammarus spp, Family Chironomidae, and Scolecolepides spp. were the three most abundant macroinvertebrate taxa in the Estuary. Family Chironomidae, Order Collembola, and Order Diptera were the three most abundant taxa found at Wilson. |
