The effects of cold shock on freshwater fish larvae and early-stage juveniles: implications for river management.

Michie, LE; Thiem, JD; Boys, CA; Mitrovic, SM

The effects of cold shock on freshwater fish larvae and early-stage juveniles: implications for river management.

Michie, LE Thiem, JD Boys, CA Mitrovic, SM

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Publisher:: Oxford University Press (OUP)
Publication Type:: Journal Article
Citation:: Conservation physiology, 2020, 8, (1)
Issue Date:: 2020-01

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Field	Value	Language
dc.contributor.author	Michie, LE
dc.contributor.author	Thiem, JD
dc.contributor.author	Boys, CA
dc.contributor.author	Mitrovic, SM
dc.date.accessioned	2020-11-23T05:49:07Z
dc.date.available	2020-09-18
dc.date.available	2020-11-23T05:49:07Z
dc.date.issued	2020-01
dc.identifier.citation	Conservation physiology, 2020, 8, (1)
dc.identifier.issn	2051-1434
dc.identifier.issn	2051-1434
dc.identifier.uri	http://hdl.handle.net/10453/144260
dc.description.abstract	Temperature is essential to the maintenance of optimal physiological functioning in aquatic organisms. Fish can manage natural fluctuations in temperature; however, in freshwater ecosystems acute and rapid temperature changes can originate from sources such as large dams and industrial effluents. These rapid temperature changes may induce several physiological and behavioural responses that can result in lethal and sub-lethal consequences. The present study assessed immediate sub-lethal and short-term (10 days) lethal responses of three species of Australian freshwater fish larvae and early-stage juveniles to a range of different 'field-relevant' cold shocks (-4, -6, -8 and -10°C). Murray cod (Maccullochella peelii), silver perch (Bidyanus bidyanus) and golden perch (Macquaria ambigua) were tested at two age groups to elucidate the interaction between ontogeny and sensitivity to cold shock. Cold shock caused mortality and reductions in swimming ability (time to exhaustion and lines crossed) in all species of fish at both age groups. Sensitivity was correlated to the magnitude of cold shock; a 10°C drop in temperature caused the highest mortalities. Ontogeny interacted with the severity of cold shock; the younger fish experienced higher mortalities and greater impairment to swimming ability. This study demonstrates the potential lethal and sub-lethal impacts of cold shock on freshwater fish at a critical life-history stage. Understanding the impacts of cold shock will aid management of freshwater ecosystems for the benefit of fish populations, with the current study identifying critical life stages to be considered in remediation and guiding thresholds necessary to reduce the impact of cold shock on native fish populations.
dc.format	Electronic-eCollection
dc.language	eng
dc.publisher	Oxford University Press (OUP)
dc.relation.ispartof	Conservation physiology
dc.relation.isbasedon	10.1093/conphys/coaa092
dc.rights	info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess
dc.rights	info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess
dc.rights	This is a pre-copyedited, author-produced version of an article accepted for publication in Conservation physiology following peer review. The version of record Conservation physiology, 2020, 8, (1) is available online at: https://dx.doi.org/10.1093/conphys/coaa092.	en_US
dc.subject	05 Environmental Sciences, 06 Biological Sciences
dc.title	The effects of cold shock on freshwater fish larvae and early-stage juveniles: implications for river management.
dc.type	Journal Article
utslib.citation.volume	8
utslib.location.activity	England
utslib.for	05 Environmental Sciences
utslib.for	06 Biological Sciences
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Science
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Science/School of Life Sciences
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/DVC (Teaching and Learning)
utslib.copyright.status	open_access	*
pubs.consider-herdc	false
dc.date.updated	2020-11-23T05:48:57Z
pubs.issue	1
pubs.publication-status	Published
pubs.volume	8
utslib.citation.issue	1

Abstract:

Temperature is essential to the maintenance of optimal physiological functioning in aquatic organisms. Fish can manage natural fluctuations in temperature; however, in freshwater ecosystems acute and rapid temperature changes can originate from sources such as large dams and industrial effluents. These rapid temperature changes may induce several physiological and behavioural responses that can result in lethal and sub-lethal consequences. The present study assessed immediate sub-lethal and short-term (10 days) lethal responses of three species of Australian freshwater fish larvae and early-stage juveniles to a range of different 'field-relevant' cold shocks (-4, -6, -8 and -10°C). Murray cod (Maccullochella peelii), silver perch (Bidyanus bidyanus) and golden perch (Macquaria ambigua) were tested at two age groups to elucidate the interaction between ontogeny and sensitivity to cold shock. Cold shock caused mortality and reductions in swimming ability (time to exhaustion and lines crossed) in all species of fish at both age groups. Sensitivity was correlated to the magnitude of cold shock; a 10°C drop in temperature caused the highest mortalities. Ontogeny interacted with the severity of cold shock; the younger fish experienced higher mortalities and greater impairment to swimming ability. This study demonstrates the potential lethal and sub-lethal impacts of cold shock on freshwater fish at a critical life-history stage. Understanding the impacts of cold shock will aid management of freshwater ecosystems for the benefit of fish populations, with the current study identifying critical life stages to be considered in remediation and guiding thresholds necessary to reduce the impact of cold shock on native fish populations.

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http://hdl.handle.net/10453/144260