Prehistoric fish may spawn in Georgia for first time in 50 years

|

August 17th, 2022

In this Oct. 12, 2017 photo provided by the Vermont Department of Fish and Wildlife, Fisheries Biologist Chet MacKenzie, left, and Specialist Joel Flewelling prepare to measure and weigh a lake sturgeon captured in Lake Champlain's Malletts Bay in Colchester, Vt. The armor-plated, bottom-feeding fish are mounting a comeback from the edge of extinction. Scientists say fishing bans, stocking programs, cleaner water and dam removals are helping sturgeon recover. (Vermont Department of Fish and Wildlife via AP)

Scientists and students embarking on a census of Georgia lake sturgeon have found three females with mature eggs — an indication the armored “living fossils” may be reproducing in that state for the first time in a half-century.

“It’s exciting because it’s confirmation that they are becoming mature and trying to spawn,” Martin J. Hamel, an associate professor at the University of Georgia Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, said in a recent news release.

Fossils indicate that the spade-nosed fish with a bottom-mounted vacuum hose instead of jaws has existed for more than 136 million years, according to scientists.

Related

Top Stories