Effects of incremental increases in silt load on the cardiovascular performance of riverine and lacustrine rock bass, Ambloplites rupestris

Using multiple sources during reintroduction of a locally extinct population benefits survival and reproduction of an endangered freshwater fish

Through using different sources, population reintroductions can create genetically diverse populations at low risk of harmful inbreeding and well equipped for adaptation to future environments. Genetic variation from one source can mask locally nonoptimal alleles from another, thereby enhancing adaptive potential and population persistence. We assessed the outcomes in survival, growth and reproduction of using two differentiated sources (genetically diverse Yarra and moderately diverse Dartmouth) for translocations and stocking to reintroduce the endangered Australian freshwater Macquarie perch Macquaria australasica into the Ovens River. For stocking, same- and different-population parents ("cross-types") were used during hatchery production. Genetic samples and data on individual fish were collected over three years of monitoring the Ovens. We genetically assigned Ovens fish to their broodstock parents and tested whether cross-type and genetic dissimilarity between parents are associated with offspring survival, and whether cross-type and parental dissimilarity or individual genetic diversity are associated with somatic growth rates of stocked fish. We genetically identified translocated fish and assessed local recruit ancestry. Of 296 Ovens fish, 31.1% were inferred to be stocked, 1.3% translocated and 67.6% locally born. Cross-type strongly predicted survival of stocked offspring: those with two Yarra parents had the highest survival, followed by offspring with two-population, then Dartmouth, ancestry. Of the Ovens recruits, 59.5% had Yarra, 33.5% two-population and 7.0% Dartmouth ancestry, despite 67% of stocked and 98% of translocated fish originating from Dartmouth. Offspring with two Yarra parents grew faster than offspring of Dartmouth or two-population ancestry. Although Dartmouth fish appear to be less fit in the Ovens compared to Yarra fish, possibly due to deleterious variation or genetic or plastic maladaptation, they contribute to the reintroduced population through local interbreeding with Yarra fish and relatively high survival of stocked offspring of two-population ancestry. Thus, combining compatible stocks is likely to benefit restoration of other wildlife populations.

Boat noise affects the early life history of two damselfishes

Anthropogenic noise can have a negative effect on the physiology and survival of marine fishes. Most research has focused on later life-stages, and few studies have investigated the effects of human-induced noise on embryogenesis. The current study investigated whether playback of motorboat noise affected the embryogenesis of the coral reef damselfishes, Amphiprion melanopus and Acanthochromis polyacanthus. Embryos reared under the playback of boat noise had faster heart rates compared to the ambient reef controls. The effects of noise on morphological development differed between species and the fundamental interrelationships between early life history characteristics changed dramatically under boat noise for Ac. polyacanthus. Noise treatments did not alter the survival rates of embryos under laboratory conditions. Although species specific, our findings suggest that anthropogenic noise causes physiological responses in fishes during embryogenesis and these changes have direct impacts on their development and these alterations may have carry-over effects to later life stages.

Impact of motorboats on fish embryos depends on engine type

Human generated noise is changing the natural underwater soundscapes worldwide. The most pervasive sources of underwater anthropogenic noise are motorboats, which have been found to negatively affect several aspects of fish biology. However, few studies have examined the effects of noise on early life stages, especially the embryonic stage, despite embryo health being critical to larval survival and recruitment. Here, we used a novel setup to monitor heart rates of embryos from the staghorn damselfish (Amblyglyphidodon curacao) in shallow reef conditions, allowing us to examine the effects of in situ boat noise in context with real-world exposure. We found that the heart rate of embryos increased in the presence of boat noise, which can be associated with the stress response. Additionally, we found 2-stroke outboard-powered boats had more than twice the effect on embryo heart rates than did 4-stroke powered boats, showing an increase in mean individual heart rate of 1.9% and 4.6%, respectively. To our knowledge this is the first evidence suggesting boat noise elicits a stress response in fish embryo and highlights the need to explore the ecological ramifications of boat noise stress during the embryo stage. Also, knowing the response of marine organisms caused by the sound emissions of particular engine types provides an important tool for reef managers to mitigate noise pollution.

Review of the effects of in-stream pipeline crossing construction on aquatic ecosystems and examination of Canadian methodologies for impact assessment

Pipeline crossing construction alters river and stream channels, hence may have detrimental effects on aquatic ecosystems. This review examines the effects of crossing construction on fish and fish habitat in rivers and streams, and recommends an approach to monitoring and assessment of impacts associated with these activities. Pipeline crossing construction is shown to not only compromise the integrity of the physical and chemical nature of fish habitat, but also to affect biological habitat (e.g., benthic invertebrates and invertebrate drift), and fish behavior and physiology. Indicators of effect include: water quality (total suspended solids TSS), physical habitat (substrate particle size, channel morphology), benthic invertebrate community structure and drift (abundance, species composition, diversity, standing crop), and fish behavior and physiology (hierarchy, feeding, respiration rate, loss of equilibrium, blood hematocrit and leukocrit levels, heart rate and stroke volume). The Before-After-Control-Impact (BACI) approach, which is often applied in Environmental Effects Monitoring (EEM), is recommended as a basis for impact assessment, as is consideration of site-specific sensitivities, assessment of significance, and cumulative effects.

Influence of local adaptation and interstock hybridization on the cardiovascular performance of largemouth bassMicropterus salmoides

In this study, the cardiovascular response to exhaustive exercise among differentiated stocks of largemouth bass Micropterus salmoides was compared at 10°C and 20°C to assess the level of their local adaptation. In addition, the impact that interstock hybridization had on adaptive differences was assessed using F1 hybrids. To accomplish these assessments, four genetically distinct stocks of fish were produced using adults from two regions in the midwestern United States identified as distinct conservation management units (central Illinois, IL and southeastern Wisconsin, WI): both P1 stocks and both reciprocal F1interstock hybrids. Cardiac variables (both resting and maximal) were consistently lowest for the IL×IL stock relative to the WI×WI stock and both F1 interstock hybrids. Interestingly, however, all groups of fish were able to maintain similar levels of cardiac scope. All fish responded to exercise by increasing heart rate and decreasing stroke volume,consistent with the notion that largemouth bass modulate cardiac output via frequency. After exercise, cardiac variables returned to resting levels 25-35% more rapidly for IL×IL fish relative to all other groups at 20°C. At 10°C, recovery rates for both P1 stocks were similar but more rapid than the interstock hybrids. Collectively, these results indicate that the locally adapted stock (IL×IL) exhibited cardiovascular adaptations that enabled rapid cardiovascular recovery and maintenance of low resting cardiac output and heart rate. Conversely, the translocated stock (WI×WI) and the interstock hybrids required longer for cardiovascular variables to recover after exercise and exhibited higher resting levels of cardiac output and heart rate. This study provides some of the first direct evidence of a physiological mechanism by which mixing stocks could potentially decrease fitness and illustrates the magnitude of the intraspecific diversity of cardiovascular performance.