#great lakes

Using the new growth rate formula, researchers concluded lake sturgeon live much longer than previously believed.

"We've concluded that sturgeon live far longer lives than initially thought based on looking at growth rings and fin ray cross sections," Baker said.

Researchers found males lived anywhere from 90 to 279 years, while females lived from 99 to as many as 427 years.

For perspective, the previous oldest recorded lake sturgeon was estimated to be 152 years old.

The new findings are almost on par with the longest-lived vertebrate on Earth, the Greenland shark, whose lifespan has been estimated at 272 to 512 years.

Artist's depiction of the sailing ship "Griffon." Printed on front: "The Griffon." Handwritten on front: "La Salle and the Griffon." Handwritten on back: "From: Hubbard, B. Memorials of a half-century, p. 163."