Acclimation effect on fish behavioural characteristics: determination of appropriate acclimation period for different species

Abstract

In the present study, the authors investigated the effect of acclimation duration (up to 4 h) on behavioural characteristics of taxonomically and functionally different fish species, i.e., the migratory rheophilic salmonids rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) and Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar), and the non-migratory eurytopic European perch (Perca fluviatilis) and three-spined stickleback (Gasterosteus aculeatus). Specifically, the authors explored fish behavioural patterns based on specific endpoints (average, maximum and angular velocity) during the acclimation period, and determined the acclimation period suitable for the tested fish species. The performed behavioural data analysis showed that the minimum time needed to adjust fish activity to a more stable (baseline) level should be at least 2 h for O. mykiss and S. salar and 1 h for G. aculeatus. Nonetheless, P. fluviatilis behaviour did not show significant changes during the 4 h acclimation. The results of this study revealed that the effect of the acclimation duration on such rheophilic species as O. mykiss and S. salar was greater than that on the eurytopic species P. fluviatilis and G. aculeatus, indicating that acclimation period is important in managing fish stress before behavioural observations. For all species, the highest variability was found in the endpoint of maximum velocity, and the lowest in that of angular velocity. This study showed that before starting actual toxicity testing experiments, it is important to determine an appropriate, species-specific acclimation period.

Effects of thermal fluctuations on biological processes: a meta-analysis of experiments manipulating thermal variability

“…R. Soc. B 290: 20222225 design in acclimation experiments may be driving different responses across taxa [60], such that species specific acclimation periods precipitate different thermal responses [61] and that beneficial effects of acclimation are only gained when short exposures initially occur [62]. Recent work has also highlighted the importance of traits in predicting when and how organisms may persist in variable environments, via cues or bet-hedging strategies [19].…”

“…some traits are reversibly plastic within a generation while others fix during development), we anticipated that the experimental duration of both the acclimation phase and acute phase would have influenced the outcome of experienced environmental variation over time. Previous syntheses have emphasized how experimental design in acclimation experiments may be driving different responses across taxa [ 60 ], such that species specific acclimation periods precipitate different thermal responses [ 61 ] and that beneficial effects of acclimation are only gained when short exposures initially occur [ 62 ]. Recent work has also highlighted the importance of traits in predicting when and how organisms may persist in variable environments, via cues or bet-hedging strategies [ 19 ].…”

A Unified Approach to Investigating 4 dpf Zebrafish Larval Behaviour through a Standardised Light/Dark Assay

“…The importance of both the conditions and length of acclimation period used prior to behavioural evaluation with fish has been previously reported (Makaras et al, 2021). Larval light/dark research lacks standardisation of the length and lighting conditions of the acclimation period (Table 1).…”

“…3.2. The acclimation period affects locomotor behavioural responses in the larval light/dark assay The importance of the length and lighting conditions of the acclimation period has been previously reported (Makaras et al, 2021). Larval light/dark research lacks standardisation of the length and lighting conditions of the acclimation period (Table 1).…”

Glucose exchange parameters in a subset of physiological conditions

“…2 Application can also be expected in animal production, such as salmon farming. 3 In order to measure the spatial distribution of glucose in the living body, the exchanging protons of the -OH sites can be used to create a natural contrast. The chemical exchange creates various effects in NMR, and these can be observed using e.g., T 2 or T 1,r relaxation measurements, or chemical exchange saturation transfer (CEST) experiments.…”