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Overview
Physiological
demands are especially important to anadromous fish because of their need
to move between fresh water and seawater and to make long, often difficult
migrations. These demands can become critical when barriers to migration
and other changes in river ecosystems occur.
The Physiology Section of the Conte Anadromous Fish Research Center conducts
research on physiological changes that may limit fish populations, particularly
those undergoing restoration or enhancement. We are particularly interested
in how environmental change, both of 'natural' and 'human' origins, affects
normal growth and development in anadromous fish. Physiological systems
such as ion regulation, stress, energetics, growth and reproduction are
critical for survival of migratory fish. Environmental factors such as
photoperiod, temperature, stress, hatchery practices, dams and pollution
may affect normal development of these systems. Because of threats to
their survival in many rivers in the northeastern US, salmon, shad, blueback
herring, alewives and sturgeon are the anadromous species of primary interest.
Gill chloride cells (stained black) are responsible for salt and water
balance in anadromous fish.
(photo by Steve McCormick)
USGS research is vital for mitigation of human impacts on anadromous fish,
including passage barriers caused by dams, pollution, overfishing and
habitat loss. All of these factors will have physiological effects that
are important to understand if we are to mitigate or prevent their actions.
Physiological research at the Conte Lab is interdisciplinary and performed
at the molecular, organismal and ecological levels. State-of-the-art facilities
for these studies include rearing facilities with temperature and photoperiod
control, large animal respirometry, fluorescent microscopy, hormone and
receptors assays, ion transport and biochemistry, and tagging technology.
Investigations are performed both in field and laboratory environments,
emphasizing how physiological processes affect anadromous fish survival.
Steve McCormick is the Physiology Section
Leader. Mike O'Dea , a research technician,
and Amy Moeckel, a research physiologist,
are USGS personnel. Luke Iwanowicz,
Darren Lerner, Michelle Monette,
and Kathy Nieves- Puigdoller are Ph.D.
students through a coopertive agreement with the University
of Massachusetts. UMass, Amherst is located 15 miles from the Anadromous
Fish Research Center, and there is a close working relationship between
the two. Steve McCormick is an adjunct Professor in both the Biology
and Natural Resouce Conservation
Departments. The Physiology Section has several cooperative projects
with the University and frequent summer interns and volunteers. Dianne Baker
is currently a Darwin Fellow in the
Organismic and Evolutionary Biology Program at UMASS and is conducting
research on the endocrine control of reproduction in salmon.
Current Research
· Physiological
changes during downstream migration and ocean entry of Atlantic salmon
smolts.
· Endocrine Disruption
of the parr-smolt transformation by environmental contaminants.
· Impact
of fish ladders and artificial spawning on stress energetics and reproductive
success of adult American shad, blueback, and alewife.
· Environmental
factors controlling overwinter survival and downstream migration of Atlantic
salmon in tributaries and the mainstem of the Connecticut River.
Smith Brook Newfane, VT.
· Impact
of acid/aluminum on smolt development and seawater survival.
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Personnel
Dr.
Stephen D. McCormick Section Leader
Michael
F. O'Dea
Research Technician
Amy
M. Moeckel
Resarch Physiologist
Darren
T. Lerner
Research Physiologist
Ph.D. student
Michelle
Y. Monette
Ph.D. student
Kathy
Nieves- Puigdoller Ph.D. student
Luke
R. Iwanowicz
Ph.D. student
Dr.
Sigurd O. Stefansson
Visiting Scientist
Former
Personnel
Publications
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