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food habits analysis of pallid sturgeon captured from the lower Platte River would be a <br />good test of the suitability of the habitat there. <br />PS-2: Water related activities above the Loup River do/do not impact pallid sturgeon habitat. <br />Since changes in abundance of small fishes, especially the four species of chubs <br />(Macrhybopsis hyostoma, M. storeriana, M. gelida, Platygobio gracilis), have been <br />related to changes in habitat caused by upstream water-use activities it seems likely that <br />water related activities could have an influence on pallid sturgeon food resources <br />downstream from the mouth of the Loup River. Future studies of pallid sturgeon habitat <br />conditions should include studies of the species upon which comprise important <br />components of their food resources. <br />PS-3: Non-Program actions (e.g., harvest, stocking, Missouri River conditions) determine the <br />occurrence of pallid sturgeon the lower Platte River. <br />A comparison of food habits studies between pallid sturgeon collected from Missouri <br />River and Platte River localities could be one way to test this hypothesis. Stable isotope <br />analysis could also provide excellent insights if it does not require sacrifice of whole <br />animals to complete the process. <br />Competition: <br />There have been no published studies on direct competition between pallid sturgeon and <br />other species, but several publications have discussed this topic (Table 5. However, potential <br />overlaps in diet with other species sympatric with pallid sturgeon are evident especially during <br />the larval and juvenile life stages (Erickson 1992). Studies throughout the range of pallid