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Abstract
Animal migrations have substantial conservation and ecological implications for numerous life history characteristics through ontogeny. Atlantic Sturgeon and Shortnose Sturgeon are federally endangered fishes that occur along the Atlantic coast of North America and have undergone widespread population declines and local extirpations throughout this range. Recent studies suggest that individuals of both species migrate from their natal rivers and estuaries, at times traversing great distances and crossing management boundaries. However, large knowledge gaps persist pertaining to the timing and spatial extent of migration for populations natal to the southeastern United States. In this thesis, I used long-term acoustic telemetry datasets to delineate and characterize the migratory behaviors of both Atlantic Sturgeon and Shortnose Sturgeon in this region. The migrations described herein offer crucial updates to the ecological understanding of these endangered species and suggest new directions for species management plans and research efforts.