LE3 .A278 2018

2018

Stokesbury, Michael
Easy, Russell

Acadia University

Bachelor of Science

Honours

Biology

Biology

Atlantic sturgeon are anadromous fish that spend much of their marine phase in near-shore environments. Atlantic sturgeon are listed by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) as “Near Threatened”, and in Canada are designated as “Threatened” by the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC). In Canada, Atlantic sturgeon support small commercial fisheries in the Saint John River New Brunswick and the St. Lawrence River, Quebec. In the marine environment, Atlantic sturgeon are susceptible to anthropogenic stressors including bycatch from marine fisheries and interactions with coastal engineering projects such as tidal power developments. These stressors can cause physiological and behavioral changes in the fish that can negatively impact their viability. Because they are commercially important, and are also of conservation concern, it is critical that we understand stress responses of Atlantic sturgeon to better understand the effects of increased industrial activity in the coastal zone. This study uses a proteomic approach to identify and characterize protease activity and putative novel protein biomarkers in the epidermal mucus of Atlantic sturgeon. Changes in protein profiles caused by bycatch and surgery stress were investigated using 1D SDS-PAGE and mass spectrometry (MS). Proteolytic activity was identified and characterized using zymography, providing information on the classes of proteases that are associated with stress-related events. Samples were collected from Atlantic sturgeon in Minas Basin after capture by brush weir and otter trawl, as well as after surgical implantation of a V16-69 kHz VEMCO acoustic tag. By identifying potential protein biomarkers of stress, this study is an example of a non- invasive method for measuring stress in the Atlantic sturgeon, while also providing insight into their innate immune response and potential evolutionary history. Understanding the defense mechanism and expression of non-specific factors can be used to improve conservation regulations, as well as contribute to the limited scientific literature on the stress response of Atlantic sturgeon.

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https://scholar.acadiau.ca/islandora/object/theses:3316