SDSU scientists study sturgeon

Brookings, S.D. (AP) – Two South Dakota State University
wildlife and fisheries sciences faculty members have gotten a
five-year, $647,000 Army Corps of Engineers grant to study the
endangered pallid sturgeon.

Brian Graeb and Steven Chipps are examining the large river fish
that is native to the Missouri River. The sturgeon can live well
beyond 50 years and grow up to 6 feet long. The slowly disappearing
fish were labeled endangered in 1990.

Both the scientists have done research on the pallid sturgeon’s
juvenile through adult life stages, but the larval studies planned
under the corps grant will be new territory for them.

In a release, SDSU says the study could teach researchers more
about the basic requirements of the species, particularly young
sturgeon.