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2.1.5 Conduct investigations to describe movements and behavior. <br />Movements of adult pallid sturgeon need to be determined, <br />especially prior to and during spawning periods. Ft. Peck Dam <br />on the Missouri River and a low -head diversion dam on the <br />Yellowstone River impede migration between upstream and <br />downstream reaches within those priority recovery areas. The <br />significance of these impediments to spawning migrations needs <br />to be determined so corrective measures can be taken, if <br />necessary. Migrations and movements during other seasons also <br />might be occurring for food or staging and should be <br />determined. <br />Environmental factors such as water temperature, food <br />abundance, light intensity, and water velocity likely affect <br />behavior of developing pallid sturgeon. Certain behavioral <br />traits, such as habitat preference and phototaxis, are believed <br />to be innate and less influenced by the natural elements. <br />Laboratory tests involving innate behavior of pallid sturgeon <br />should be conducted to assist in determining probable behavior <br />in the natural environment. Study results may provide <br />behavioral information, such as the timing and duration of <br />migration after hatching, and may provide information on the <br />effects of environmental variables on the behavior of young <br />pallid sturgeon. The study results also may provide guidance <br />to fish culturists to assist in maximizing conditions leading <br />to successful reproduction behavior. <br />2.1.6. Map existing areas providing important habitat requirements. <br />Important habitats need to be identified and mapped to <br />prioritize implementation of protection measures and management <br />activities. Mapping of these important areas also will assist <br />county planning or zoning departments and developers in early <br />identification of potential conflicts between development <br />projects and endangered species protection and recovery. <br />2.1.7. Obtain an artist's descriptive key of developing larvae and <br />early juveniles of pallid sturgeon, shovelnose sturgeon, and <br />shovelnose X pallid hybrids. <br />Much of the pallid sturgeon's range overlaps the range of other <br />sturgeon. Research to document successful reproduction and <br />determine abundance, distribution, and ecology of pallid <br />sturgeon life stages depends on accurate identification of <br />collected larvae and early juveniles. An artist's descriptive <br />key of a development series for hatchery- reared pallid <br />sturgeon, shovelnose sturgeon, and shovelnose X pallid hybrid <br />larvae, documenting morphological development and diagnostic <br />characteristics, is needed for identification of field - <br />collected specimens. (An artist's descriptive key has been <br />prepared for lake sturgeon.) <br />31 <br />