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Charcoal Sturgeon

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The Charcoal Sturgeon (Acipenser Tenebrae) is a species of sturgeon in the family Acipenseridae of the order Acipenseriformes. The species is locally present in North America with many of its sightings being in the Pacific Ocean. It is naturally a charcoal black, which is a product of its habitat. Being a predatory fish, it stays in schools of no more than 6 to prevent competition for its food sources. Currently, the species is of least concern.

It is often called the Survivor Sturgeon due to its unique capabilities that allow the fish to survive in oil-polluted waters. It was first introduced into the wild in 2050 as a countermeasure to dwindling fish stock; scientists injected a group of white sturgeon with an enzyme that allows them to ingest plastic. With its special digestive system and mutated gills, the Charcoal Sturgeon quickly exploded in population where other local fish could not.

Similar to other species of sturgeon, Charcoal sturgeons are primarily benthic feeders. They swim at the bottom of the sea floor, eating crustaceans such as crabs or other small fish. Having no major teeth, the Charcoal sturgeon usually swallows to ingest.

Charcoal sturgeon, on average, live up to 110-120 years. The average length for the species is 24-26ft, with 26ft being the longest length ever recorded. With a long life-span, these fish can weigh up to 1,500 lbs.

Etymology and Definition

The word “suprestes” is derived from latin, originally meaning outliving or surviving to accurately reflect the nature of this type of sturgeon. The word “tenebrae” is also derived from latin and reflects the dark color the sturgeon is known for.

History and Evolution

The Charcoal sturgeon is the result of a change in environment exclusive to the genus Acipenser, of the largest genus of the order Acipenseriformes. This species of sturgeon is the result of an ever-worsening environment caused by the impact of human pollution. The species was created in 2050, and was released in the wild in the now oil-polluted Pacific Ocean.

The group of sturgeon that were initially injected with the enzymes were not expected to live long. This was because of a string of major oil spills that occurred in the Pacific Ocean within a 10-year span of the group’s initial release. (See Oil Spills) The species made an unexpected reappearance in 2100, with special mutations that allowed it survive in oil-polluted waters.

Traits - Characteristics and Attributes Their gills have adapted to be able to filter out the oil and water Scientists added a mutant enzyme in its digestive tract that allows it to safely digest types of plastics Life span increased by about 10-20 years because of its special adaptations Appearance is Charcoal black due to discoloration from the oil) Maximum length = 26 feet, 1500 lbs Scutes: The bumps on sturgeon’s backs are called scutes. They are circular pieces of bone with a point in the middle. When another animal bites into it, it will get a hard bony point in its mouth.

Habitat and Population

The majority of Charcoal sturgeon are inhabited in the Pacific Oceans. They mainly range in subtropical waters as well as lakes. They can live in estuaries of these rivers but during the spawning season, they migrate from saltwater to freshwater. Like the White sturgeon, they have been seen to reproduce in locations such as along the West Coast, from northern Mexico up to the Aleutian Islands in Alaska.

Many Charcoal sturgeon move alone, but can show basic social structure when in groups. Charcoal sturgeon tend to stay in schools of no more than 6, which researchers assume to be because of competition for food. When spawning season starts, these schools increase to be as large as 50 at a time. Biology

Physiology: Skeletons are almost entirely cartilaginous Barbels are used for navigation Bony Scutes: Bony plate on the surface of the sturgeon; Acts as body armor against abrasions and predation Dorsal Fin: Protects the fish against rolling, and assists in sudden turns and stops Caudal Peduncle: Gives control of power and the speed at which the fish can swim Nares: Used to detect odors in water and is sensitive Operculum: Flexible bony plate that protects the sensitive gills Pectoral Fin: Helps in maintaining depth underwater and enables flight when “flying” Pelvic Fin: Helps in going up or down through the water Anal Fin: Stabilizes the fish while swimming Caudal Fin: Generates swimming power and maneuverability (for prey), and predator avoidance (propulsion)

The Charcoal sturgeon’s diet includes plastic along with crayfish, shrimp, snails, plants, aquatic insects, larvae, sludge worms and clams. This is because they are primarily benthic feeders / bottom feeders. They roam the bottom with their massive size and length. Occasionally, they can and will swallow medium sized fish such as salmon.

The lifespan of this species of sturgeon is roughly 110-120 years. They outlive other species because of their adaptations that allow them to swim through areas where oil would kill other fish. As a result, they gain more weight due to less competition for food sources. Charcoal sturgeon begin to spawn when they reach the maturity of 30 years old, but they do not spawn yearly. A female can lay up to 500,000 eggs but only a fifth will be fertilized.

Impact on Earth

While Charcoal Sturgeon are found in the wild, some are bred and kept in captivity for its roe. However, this has proven ineffective due to the long time it takes for the sturgeon to mature. To help sustain the fish market, charcoal sturgeon are farmed for their meat.

The Charcoal Sturgeon is able to live in waters where other fish can not. This allowed the Charcoal Sturgeon to flourish as it faces no actual predators. Additionally, their scales have been discolored to the point where they blend in with the dark water. In regions of the oil-polluted waters of the Pacific Ocean, the Charcoal Sturgeon reigns supreme.

References / Resources

“Acipenseriformes.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 10 Sept. 2019, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acipenseriformes. “Benthic Zone.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 30 Nov. 2019, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benthic_zone. “Ideonella Sakaiensis.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 22 Oct. 2019, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ideonella_sakaiensis. “Oil Spill.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 21 Nov. 2019, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oil_spill. “Pacific Ocean.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 11 Dec. 2019, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pacific_Ocean. “Scute.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 20 Sept. 2019, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scute. “Subtropics.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 12 Dec. 2019, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Subtropics. “White Sturgeon.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 7 Nov. 2019, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/White_sturgeon.