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Basili M, Sabatini L, Pellini G, Massaccesi N, Manini E, Donato F, Scarcella G, Luna GM, Quero GM. Age and environment are the main drivers shaping the wild common sole (Solea solea) microbiota. BMC Ecol Evol 2024; 24:118. [PMID: 39237883 PMCID: PMC11378504 DOI: 10.1186/s12862-024-02303-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2024] [Accepted: 08/19/2024] [Indexed: 09/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Microbiota plays an essential role in fish growth and health and may be influenced by the changing environmental conditions. Here, we explored the microbiota of wild common sole, one of the most important fishery resources in the Mediterranean Sea, collected from different areas in the North Adriatic Sea. Our results show that the sole microbiota differs from that of the surrounding environment and among the different body sites (gill, skin and gut). Gut microbiota composition showed to be strongly related to fish age, rather than maturity, sex or sampling site. Age-related shifts in gut microbial communities were identified, with increased abundances of Bacteroidia and Desulfobacteria, unveiling potential microbial proxies for age estimation crucial for fisheries management. Our results expand the limited knowledge of the wild common sole microbiota, also in the light of the potential usefulness of the fish microbiota as a tool for future stock identification and connectivity studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Basili
- Alma Mater Studiorum-University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
- Institute for Marine Biological Resources and Biotechnologies, National Research Council (CNR-IRBIM), Ancona, Italy
| | - Laura Sabatini
- Institute for Marine Biological Resources and Biotechnologies, National Research Council (CNR-IRBIM), Ancona, Italy
- Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, Polytechnic University of Marche, Ancona, Italy
| | - Giulio Pellini
- Institute for Marine Biological Resources and Biotechnologies, National Research Council (CNR-IRBIM), Ancona, Italy
| | - Naomi Massaccesi
- Alma Mater Studiorum-University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
- Institute for Marine Biological Resources and Biotechnologies, National Research Council (CNR-IRBIM), Ancona, Italy
| | - Elena Manini
- Institute for Marine Biological Resources and Biotechnologies, National Research Council (CNR-IRBIM), Ancona, Italy
- National Bioaffiliationersity Future Center (NBFC), Palermo, 90133, Italy
| | - Fortunata Donato
- Institute for Marine Biological Resources and Biotechnologies, National Research Council (CNR-IRBIM), Ancona, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Scarcella
- Institute for Marine Biological Resources and Biotechnologies, National Research Council (CNR-IRBIM), Ancona, Italy
- National Bioaffiliationersity Future Center (NBFC), Palermo, 90133, Italy
| | - Gian Marco Luna
- Institute for Marine Biological Resources and Biotechnologies, National Research Council (CNR-IRBIM), Ancona, Italy
- National Bioaffiliationersity Future Center (NBFC), Palermo, 90133, Italy
| | - Grazia Marina Quero
- Institute for Marine Biological Resources and Biotechnologies, National Research Council (CNR-IRBIM), Ancona, Italy.
- National Bioaffiliationersity Future Center (NBFC), Palermo, 90133, Italy.
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Mallett MC, Thiem JD, Butler GL, Kennard MJ. A systematic review of approaches to assess fish health responses to anthropogenic threats in freshwater ecosystems. CONSERVATION PHYSIOLOGY 2024; 12:coae022. [PMID: 38706739 PMCID: PMC11069195 DOI: 10.1093/conphys/coae022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2023] [Revised: 03/04/2024] [Accepted: 04/05/2024] [Indexed: 05/07/2024]
Abstract
Anthropogenic threats such as water infrastructure, land-use changes, overexploitation of fishes and other biological resources, invasive species and climate change present formidable challenges to freshwater biodiversity. Historically, management of fish and fishery species has largely been based on studies of population- and community-level dynamics; however, the emerging field of conservation physiology promotes the assessment of individual fish health as a key management tool. Fish health is highly sensitive to environmental disturbances and is also a fundamental driver of fitness, with implications for population dynamics such as recruitment and resilience. However, the mechanistic links between particular anthropogenic disturbances and changes in fish health, or impact pathways, are diverse and complex. The diversity of ways in which fish health can be measured also presents a challenge for researchers deciding on methods to employ in studies seeking to understand the impact of these threats. In this review, we aim to provide an understanding of the pathway through which anthropogenic threats in freshwater ecosystems impact fish health and the ways in which fish health components impacted by anthropogenic threats can be assessed. We employ a quantitative systematic approach to a corpus of papers related to fish health in freshwater and utilize a framework that summarizes the impact pathway of anthropogenic threats through environmental alterations and impact mechanisms that cause a response in fish health. We found that land-use changes were the most prolific anthropogenic threat, with a range of different health metrics being suitable for assessing the impact of this threat. Almost all anthropogenic threats impacted fish health through two or more impact pathways. A robust understanding of the impact pathways of anthropogenic threats and the fish health metrics that are sensitive to these threats is crucial for fisheries managers seeking to undertake targeted management of freshwater ecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maxwell C Mallett
- Australian Rivers Institute, School of Environment and Science, Griffith University, 170 Kessels Road, Nathan, QLD 4111, Australia
| | - Jason D Thiem
- New South Wales Department of Primary Industries, Narrandera Fisheries Centre, 70 Buckingbong Road, Narrandera, NSW 2700, Australia
| | - Gavin L Butler
- New South Wales Department of Primary Industries, Grafton Fisheries Centre,16 Experiment Farm Road, Trenayr, NSW 2460, Australia
| | - Mark J Kennard
- Australian Rivers Institute, School of Environment and Science, Griffith University, 170 Kessels Road, Nathan, QLD 4111, Australia
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3
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Kilgour DAV, Romero LM, Reed JM. Feather corticosterone is lower in translocated and historical populations of the endangered Laysan duck ( Anas laysanensis). Proc Biol Sci 2024; 291:20240330. [PMID: 38772417 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2024.0330] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2024] [Accepted: 04/16/2024] [Indexed: 05/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Identifying reliable bioindicators of population status is a central goal of conservation physiology. Physiological stress measures are often used as metrics of individual health and can assist in managing endangered species if linked to fitness traits. We analysed feather corticosterone, a cumulative physiological stress metric, of individuals from historical, translocated, and source populations of an endangered endemic Hawaiian bird, the Laysan duck (Anas laysanensis). We hypothesized that feather corticosterone would reflect the improved reproduction and survival rates observed in populations translocated to Midway and Kure Atolls from Laysan Island. We also predicted less physiological stress in historical Laysan birds collected before ecological conditions deteriorated and the population bottleneck. All hypotheses were supported: we found lower feather corticosterone in the translocated populations and historical samples than in those from recent Laysan samples. This suggests that current Laysan birds are experiencing greater physiological stress than historical Laysan and recently translocated birds. Our initial analysis suggests that feather corticosterone may be an indicator of population status and could be used as a non-invasive physiological monitoring tool for this species with further validation. Furthermore, these preliminary results, combined with published demographic data, suggest that current Laysan conditions may not be optimal for this species.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - J Michael Reed
- Department of Biology, Tufts University , , MA 02155, USA
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4
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Alaasam VJ, Behnke TL, Grant AR, Ouyang JQ. Glucocorticoids and land cover: a largescale comparative approach to assess a physiological biomarker for avian conservation. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 2024; 379:20220508. [PMID: 38310940 PMCID: PMC10838646 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2022.0508] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2023] [Accepted: 10/19/2023] [Indexed: 02/06/2024] Open
Abstract
As humans alter landscapes worldwide, land and wildlife managers need reliable tools to assess and monitor responses of wildlife populations. Glucocorticoid (GC) hormone levels are one common physiological metric used to quantify how populations are coping in the context of their environments. Understanding whether GC levels can reflect broad landscape characteristics, using data that are free and commonplace to diverse stakeholders, is an important step towards physiological biomarkers having practical application in management and conservation. We conducted a phylogenetic comparative analysis using publicly available datasets to test the efficacy of GCs as a biomarker for large spatial-scale avian population monitoring. We used hormone data from HormoneBase (51 species), natural history information and US national land cover data to determine if baseline or stress-induced corticosterone varies with the amount of usable land cover types within each species' home range. We found that stress-induced levels, but not baseline, positively correlated with per cent usable land cover both within and across species. Our results indicate that GC concentrations may be a useful biomarker for characterizing populations across a range of habitat availability, and we advocate for more physiological studies on non-traditional species in less studied populations to build on this framework. This article is part of the theme issue 'Endocrine responses to environmental variation: conceptual approaches and recent developments'.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Tessa L. Behnke
- Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Science, University of Nevada, Reno, NV 89557, USA
| | - Avery R. Grant
- Department of Biology, University of Nevada, Reno, NV 89557, USA
| | - Jenny Q. Ouyang
- Department of Biology, University of Nevada, Reno, NV 89557, USA
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5
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Cooke SJ. Reflections on a decade of service as founding Editor-in-Chief of Conservation Physiology. CONSERVATION PHYSIOLOGY 2024; 12:coad103. [PMID: 38369983 PMCID: PMC10873489 DOI: 10.1093/conphys/coad103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2023] [Accepted: 11/28/2023] [Indexed: 02/20/2024]
Affiliation(s)
- Steven J Cooke
- Fish Ecology and Conservation Physiology Laboratory, Department of Biology and Institute of Environmental and Interdisciplinary Science, Carleton University, 1125 Colonel By Dr., Ottawa, ON, K1S 5B6, Canada
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6
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Tornabene BJ, Hossack BR, Breuner CW. Assay validation of saliva glucocorticoids in Columbia spotted frogs and effects of handling and marking. CONSERVATION PHYSIOLOGY 2023; 11:coad078. [PMID: 38026797 PMCID: PMC10660366 DOI: 10.1093/conphys/coad078] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2023] [Revised: 08/24/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023]
Abstract
Non-invasive methods are important to the field of conservation physiology to reduce negative effects on organisms being studied. Glucocorticoid (GC) hormones are often used to assess health of individuals, but collection methods can be invasive. Many amphibians are imperiled worldwide, and saliva is a non- or semi-invasive matrix to measure GCs that has been partially validated for only four amphibian species. Validation ensures that assays are reliable and can detect changes in saliva corticosterone (sCORT) after exposure to stressors, but it is also necessary to ensure sCORT concentrations are correlated with plasma concentrations. To help validate the use of saliva in assessing CORT responses in amphibians, we captured uniquely marked Columbia spotted frogs (Rana luteiventris) on sequential days and collected baseline and stress-induced (after handling) samples. For a subset of individuals, we collected and quantified CORT in both saliva and blood samples, which have not been compared for amphibians. We tested several aspects of CORT responses and, by collecting across separate days, measured repeatability of CORT responses across days. We also evaluated whether methods common to amphibian conservation, such as handling alone or handling, clipping a toe and tagging elevated sCORT. Similar to previous studies, we show that sCORT is reliable concerning parallelism, recovery, precision and sensitivity. sCORT was weakly correlated with plasma CORT (R2 = 0.21), and we detected elevations in sCORT after handling, demonstrating biological validation. Toe clipping and tagging did not increase sCORT over handling alone, but repeated handling elevated sCORT for ~72 hours. However, sCORT responses were highly variable and repeatability was low within individuals and among capture sessions, contrary to previous studies with urinary and waterborne CORT. sCORT is a semi-invasive and rapid technique that could be useful to assess effects of anthropogenic change and conservation efforts, but will require careful study design and future validation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brian J Tornabene
- U.S. Geological Survey, Northern Rocky Mountain Science Center, 32 Campus Dr., University of Montana, Missoula, Montana, 59812, USA
- Wildlife Biology Program, W. A. Franke College of Forestry & Conservation, 32 Campus Dr., University of Montana, Missoula, Montana, 59812, USA
| | - Blake R Hossack
- U.S. Geological Survey, Northern Rocky Mountain Science Center, 32 Campus Dr., University of Montana, Missoula, Montana, 59812, USA
- Wildlife Biology Program, W. A. Franke College of Forestry & Conservation, 32 Campus Dr., University of Montana, Missoula, Montana, 59812, USA
| | - Creagh W Breuner
- Wildlife Biology Program, W. A. Franke College of Forestry & Conservation, 32 Campus Dr., University of Montana, Missoula, Montana, 59812, USA
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7
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Cumplido M, D'Amico V, Bertellotti M, Atencio M, Dinsmore SJ, Palacios MG. Integrative assessment of immunity, health-state, growth and survival of Magellanic penguin chicks in a colony exposed to ecotourism. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 870:161915. [PMID: 36736413 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.161915] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2022] [Revised: 01/26/2023] [Accepted: 01/26/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Accumulating reports of negative impacts of tourist activities on wildlife emphasize the importance of closely monitoring focal populations. Although some effects are readily noticed, more subtle ones such as changes in physiological functions of individuals might go overlooked. Based on evidence of altered physiology associated with ecotourism on Magellanic penguins Spheniscus magellanicus, here we performed an integrated assessment using a diverse physiological toolkit together with more traditional fitness-related measures to better understand mechanisms and potential consequences. Chicks exposed to tourism showed altered immune parameters and elevated flea prevalence, reinforcing previous findings. Tourism-exposed female, but not male, chicks also showed relatively lower hematocrit and plasma protein levels, providing evidence consistent with a sex-specific response to tourist visitation. Physiological alterations detected in tourism-exposed young chicks (week 1-2) were maintained and the effect on flea infestation increased during the study period (week 4-5 of post-hatch). Despite the effects on physiology, these did not seem to translate into immediate fitness costs. No detectable tourism effects were found on brood sex ratios, chick growth and body condition, and survival until week 5-6 post-hatch. We detected no effects on reproductive output and only a marginal effect on nest survival during incubation despite previous reports of tourism-associated alterations in stress indices of adults. This disconnection could result if the physiological changes are not strong enough to impact fitness, if effects balance each other out, or if changes are part of a copying strategy. Alternatively, the physiological alterations might only show impacts later in the brooding cycle or even after chick emancipation from their parents. Our results suggest that integrative monitoring of potential anthropogenic impacts on wildlife should include evaluation of physiological mechanisms and individual-level responses in populations exposed to human activities.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Cumplido
- Centro para el Estudio de Sistemas Marinos (CESIMAR), CCT CONICET-CENPAT, Bvd. Brown 2915, Puerto Madryn, Chubut, Argentina
| | - V D'Amico
- Centro para el Estudio de Sistemas Marinos (CESIMAR), CCT CONICET-CENPAT, Bvd. Brown 2915, Puerto Madryn, Chubut, Argentina
| | - M Bertellotti
- Centro para el Estudio de Sistemas Marinos (CESIMAR), CCT CONICET-CENPAT, Bvd. Brown 2915, Puerto Madryn, Chubut, Argentina; Universidad del Chubut, Leandro N. Alem 1573, Puerto Madryn, Chubut, Argentina
| | - M Atencio
- Departamento de Ecología, Genética y Evolución, IEGEBA-CONICET, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - S J Dinsmore
- Department of Natural Resource Ecology and Management, 339 Science II, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011, USA
| | - M G Palacios
- Centro para el Estudio de Sistemas Marinos (CESIMAR), CCT CONICET-CENPAT, Bvd. Brown 2915, Puerto Madryn, Chubut, Argentina.
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8
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Ruthsatz K, Eterovick PC, Bartels F, Mausbach J. Contributions of water-borne corticosterone as one non-invasive biomarker in assessing nitrate pollution stress in tadpoles of Rana temporaria. Gen Comp Endocrinol 2023; 331:114164. [PMID: 36400158 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygcen.2022.114164] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2022] [Revised: 10/24/2022] [Accepted: 11/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Among a multitude of stressors to which wildlife is exposed, environmental pollution is a pervasive one that poses a serious threat. The permeable skin of amphibians is likely to increase direct contact of the body with pollutants, making them a group worth studying to access environmental quality. Consequently, finding reliable and complementary biomarkers that will present detectable and predictable changes in response to pollutants is essential to identify pollution sublethal effects on amphibians and to investigate whether these are in part responsible for population declines. The glucocorticoid hormone corticosterone (CORT), involved in many metabolic functions, is often used to measure the physiological stress response to environmental stressors in amphibians. In this study, we evaluated whether water-borne CORT can serve as a non-invasive biomarker for nitrate pollution stress in the European common frog (Rana temporaria) by comparing the effect of nitrate exposure on hormone release rates and on other physiological downstream biomarkers, i.e., ultimate physiological effects of the stressor. Specifically, we investigated the effect of different nitrate concentrations (0, 10, 50, and 100 mg/L) on water-borne CORT release rates, age, size, and body condition. Exposure to nitrate pollution significantly increased age at metamorphosis and water-borne CORT release rates, and led to reduced mass and body condition, but only at higher nitrate concentrations (i.e., 50 and 100 mg/L). Considering this similar sensitivity to other acknowledged biomarkers, water-borne CORT was a reliable biomarker of physiological stress in R. temporaria exposed to nitrate pollution stress in a controlled single-stressor laboratory approach. Thus, water-borne CORT is a promising method to be included in more holistic approaches. We recommend that such approaches keep testing multiple biomarker combinations, as species are exposed to several stressors likely to interact and produce varied outcomes in different biomarkers in their natural habitats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katharina Ruthsatz
- Zoological Institute, Technische Universität Braunschweig, Mendelssohnstraße 4, 38106 Braunschweig, Germany.
| | - Paula C Eterovick
- Zoological Institute, Technische Universität Braunschweig, Mendelssohnstraße 4, 38106 Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Fabian Bartels
- Zoological Institute, Technische Universität Braunschweig, Mendelssohnstraße 4, 38106 Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Jelena Mausbach
- Eawag & ETH Zurich,Überlandstrasse 133, 8600 Dübendorf, Switzerland
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9
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Leroy C, Brunet JL, Henry M, Alaux C. Using physiology to better support wild bee conservation. CONSERVATION PHYSIOLOGY 2023; 11:coac076. [PMID: 36632323 PMCID: PMC9825782 DOI: 10.1093/conphys/coac076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2022] [Revised: 11/17/2022] [Accepted: 11/19/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
There is accumulating evidence that wild bees are experiencing a decline in terms of species diversity, abundance or distribution, which leads to major concerns about the sustainability of both pollination services and intrinsic biodiversity. There is therefore an urgent need to better understand the drivers of their decline, as well as design conservation strategies. In this context, the current approach consists of linking observed occurrence and distribution data of species to environmental features. While useful, a highly complementary approach would be the use of new biological metrics that can link individual bee responses to environmental alteration with population-level responses, which could communicate the actual bee sensitivity to environmental changes and act as early warning signals of bee population decline or sustainability. We discuss here through several examples how the measurement of bee physiological traits or performance can play this role not only in better assessing the impact of anthropogenic pressures on bees, but also in guiding conservation practices with the help of the documentation of species' physiological needs. Last but not least, because physiological changes generally occur well in advance of demographic changes, we argue that physiological traits can help in predicting and anticipating future population trends, which would represent a more proactive approach to conservation. In conclusion, we believe that future efforts to combine physiological, ecological and population-level knowledge will provide meaningful contributions to wild bee conservation-based research.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jean-Luc Brunet
- INRAE, UR 406 Abeilles et Environnement, 84 914 Avignon, France
| | - Mickael Henry
- INRAE, UR 406 Abeilles et Environnement, 84 914 Avignon, France
| | - Cedric Alaux
- INRAE, UR 406 Abeilles et Environnement, 84 914 Avignon, France
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10
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Cooke SJ, Hultine KR, Rummer JL, Fangue NA, Seebacher F, Eliason EJ, MacMillan HA, Fuller A, Franklin CE. Elevating the impact of conservation physiology by building a community devoted to excellence, transparency, ethics, integrity and mutual respect. CONSERVATION PHYSIOLOGY 2022; 10:coac015. [PMID: 35492405 PMCID: PMC9040284 DOI: 10.1093/conphys/coac015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2022] [Accepted: 03/17/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Steven J Cooke
- Corresponding author: Fish Ecology and Conservation Physiology Laboratory, Department of Biology and Institute of Environmental and Interdisciplinary Science, Carleton University, 1125 Colonel By Dr., Ottawa, Ontario, K1S 5B6, Canada.
| | - Kevin R Hultine
- Department of Research, Conservation and Collections, Desert Botanical Garden, 1201 N Galvin Parkway, Phoenix, AZ 85008, USA
| | - Jodie L Rummer
- College of Science and Engineering and ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, James Cook University, Townsville, Queensland, 4810, Australia
| | - Nann A Fangue
- Department of Wildlife, Fish, and Conservation Biology, University of California Davis, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - Frank Seebacher
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, The University of Sydney, NSW, 2016, Australia
| | - Erika J Eliason
- Department of Ecology, Evolution and Marine Biology, University of California, Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA 93106, USA
| | - Heath A MacMillan
- Department of Biology and Institute of Biochemistry, Carleton University, 1125 Colonel By Dr., Ottawa, Ontario, K1S 5B6, Canada
| | - Andrea Fuller
- Brain Function Research Group, School of Physiology, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2000, South Africa
| | - Craig E Franklin
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland , 4072, Australia
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11
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Strowbridge N, Northrup SL, Earhart ML, Blanchard TS, Schulte PM. Acute measures of upper thermal and hypoxia tolerance are not reliable predictors of mortality following environmental challenges in rainbow trout ( Oncorhynchus mykiss). CONSERVATION PHYSIOLOGY 2021; 9:coab095. [PMID: 34987825 PMCID: PMC8710852 DOI: 10.1093/conphys/coab095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2021] [Revised: 11/16/2021] [Accepted: 12/03/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Anthropogenic climate change threatens freshwater biodiversity and poses a challenge for fisheries management, as fish will increasingly be exposed to episodes of high temperature and low oxygen (hypoxia). Here, we examine the extent of variation in tolerance of acute exposure to these stressors within and among five strains of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) currently being used or under consideration for use in stocking programmes in British Columbia, Canada. We used incipient lethal oxygen saturation (ILOS) as an index of acute hypoxia tolerance, critical thermal maximum (CTmax) as an index of acute upper thermal tolerance and mortality following these two acute exposure trials to assess the relative resilience of individuals and strains to climate change-relevant stressors. We measured tolerance across two brood years and two life stages (fry and yearling), using a highly replicated design with hundreds of individuals per strain and life stage. There was substantial within-strain variation in CTmax and ILOS, but differences among strains, although statistically significant, were small. In contrast, there were large differences in post-trial mortality among strains, ranging from less than 2% mortality in the most resilient strain to 55% mortality in the least resilient. There was a statistically significant, but weak, correlation between CTmax and ILOS at both life stages for some strains, with thermally tolerant individuals tending to be hypoxia tolerant. These data indicate that alternative metrics of tolerance may result in different conclusions regarding resilience to climate change stressors, which has important implications for stocking and management decisions for fish conservation in a changing climate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas Strowbridge
- Department of Zoology University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1 Z4, Canada
| | - Sara L Northrup
- Freshwater Fisheries Society of British Columbia, Abbotsford, BC V9A 7S2, Canada
| | - Madison L Earhart
- Department of Zoology University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1 Z4, Canada
| | - Tessa S Blanchard
- Department of Zoology University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1 Z4, Canada
| | - Patricia M Schulte
- Department of Zoology University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1 Z4, Canada
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12
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Tornabene BJ, Hossack BR, Crespi EJ, Breuner CW. Evaluating corticosterone as a biomarker for amphibians exposed to increased salinity and ambient corticosterone. CONSERVATION PHYSIOLOGY 2021; 9:coab049. [PMID: 34249364 PMCID: PMC8254138 DOI: 10.1093/conphys/coab049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2021] [Revised: 05/28/2021] [Accepted: 06/10/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Physiological biomarkers are commonly used to assess the health of taxa exposed to natural and anthropogenic stressors. Glucocorticoid (GC) hormones are often used as indicators of physiological stress in wildlife because they affect growth, reproduction and survival. Increased salinity from human activities negatively influences amphibians and their corticosterone (CORT; the main amphibian GC) physiology; therefore, CORT could be a useful biomarker. We evaluated whether waterborne CORT could serve as a biomarker of salt stress for three free-living amphibian species that vary in their sensitivity to salinity: boreal chorus frogs (Pseudacris maculata), northern leopard frogs (Rana pipiens) and barred tiger salamanders (Ambystoma mavortium). Across a gradient of contamination from energy-related saline wastewaters, we tested the effects of salinity on baseline and stress-induced waterborne CORT of larvae. Stress-induced, but not baseline, CORT of leopard frogs increased with increasing salinity. Salinity was not associated with baseline or stress-induced CORT of chorus frogs or tiger salamanders. Associations between CORT and salinity were also not related to species-specific sensitivities to salinity. However, we detected background environmental CORT (ambient CORT) in all wetlands and spatial variation was high within and among wetlands. Higher ambient CORT was associated with lower waterborne CORT of larvae in wetlands. Therefore, ambient CORT likely confounded associations between waterborne CORT and salinity in our analysis and possibly influenced physiology of larvae. We hypothesize that larvae may passively take up CORT from their environment and downregulate endogenous CORT. Although effects of some hormones (e.g. oestrogen) and endocrine disruptors on aquatic organisms are well described, studies investigating the occurrence and effects of ambient CORT are limited. We provide suggestions to improve collection methods, reduce variability and avoid confounding effects of ambient CORT. By making changes to methodology, waterborne CORT could still be a promising, non-invasive conservation tool to evaluate effects of salinity on amphibians.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brian J Tornabene
- Wildlife Biology Program, W.A. Franke College of Forestry & Conservation, University of Montana, Missoula, MT 59812, USA
| | - Blake R Hossack
- Wildlife Biology Program, W.A. Franke College of Forestry & Conservation, University of Montana, Missoula, MT 59812, USA
- US Geological Survey, Northern Rocky Mountain Science Center, Missoula, MT 59812, USA
| | - Erica J Crespi
- School of Biological Sciences, Center for Reproductive Sciences, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99163, USA
| | - Creagh W Breuner
- Wildlife Biology Program, W.A. Franke College of Forestry & Conservation, University of Montana, Missoula, MT 59812, USA
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Sex and Age-Specific Hematology and Biochemistry Reference Intervals of Live Iberian Hares (Lepus granatensis) and Comparison with Postmortem Sampling. J Wildl Dis 2021; 57:178-183. [PMID: 33635992 DOI: 10.7589/jwd-d-19-00010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2019] [Accepted: 06/17/2020] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Hematology and serum biochemistry reference intervals were estimated for the Iberian hare (Lepus granatensis). Most parameters differed significantly between hunted and livetrapped Iberian hares. Significant differences were found for sex (red blood cell count, mean corpuscular volume, total protein, albumin, uric acid, triglycerides, cholesterol, chloride) and age classes (red blood cell count, hematocrit, mean corpuscular hemoglobin, glucose, calcium, and sodium). Sex- and age-specific reference intervals were estimated for these parameters. Red blood cell count, hemoglobin concentration, mean corpuscular hemoglobin, urea, and potassium show seasonal variations, with the lowest values in summer and the highest in winter. Creatinine, calcium, sodium, and phosphorus achieve their highest values in summer and stable baseline values throughout the rest of the year. These reference intervals can be used as baseline to monitor health, physiology, ecology, and nutrition of Iberian hare populations.
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Rohr JR. The Atrazine Saga and its Importance to the Future of Toxicology, Science, and Environmental and Human Health. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND CHEMISTRY 2021; 40:1544-1558. [PMID: 33999476 DOI: 10.1002/etc.5037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2020] [Revised: 02/12/2021] [Accepted: 02/26/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
The herbicide atrazine is one of the most commonly used, well studied, and controversial pesticides on the planet. Much of the controversy involves the effects of atrazine on wildlife, particularly amphibians, and the ethically questionable decision making of members of industry, government, the legal system, and institutions of higher education, in most cases in an effort to "bend science," defined as manipulating research to advance economic, political, or ideological ends. In this Critical Perspective I provide a timeline of the most salient events in the history of the atrazine saga, which includes a multimillion-dollar smear campaign, lawsuits, investigative reporting, accusation of impropriety against the US Environmental Protection Agency, and a multibillion-dollar transaction. I argue that the atrazine controversy must be more than just a true story of cover-ups, bias, and vengeance. It must be used as an example of how manufacturing uncertainty and bending science can be exploited to delay undesired regulatory decisions and how greed and conflicts of interest-situations where personal or organizational considerations have compromised or biased professional judgment and objectivity-can affect environmental and public health and erode trust in the discipline of toxicology, science in general, and the honorable functioning of societies. Most importantly, I offer several recommendations that should help to 1) prevent the history of atrazine from repeating itself, 2) enhance the credibility and integrity of science, and 3) enrich human and environmental health. Environ Toxicol Chem 2021;40:1544-1558. © 2021 SETAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jason R Rohr
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana, USA
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15
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Madliger CL, Love OP, Nguyen VM, Haddaway NR, Cooke SJ. Researcher perspectives on challenges and opportunities in conservation physiology revealed from an online survey. CONSERVATION PHYSIOLOGY 2021; 9:coab030. [PMID: 33959293 PMCID: PMC8084030 DOI: 10.1093/conphys/coab030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2021] [Revised: 03/13/2021] [Accepted: 04/06/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Conservation physiology represents a recently emerging arm of conservation science that applies physiological tools and techniques to understand and solve conservation issues. While a multi-disciplinary toolbox can only help to address the global biodiversity crisis, any field can face challenges while becoming established, particularly highly applied disciplines that require multi-stakeholder involvement. Gaining first-hand knowledge of the challenges that conservation physiologists are facing can help characterize the current state of the field and build a better foundation for determining how it can grow. Through an online survey of 468 scientists working at the intersection of physiology and conservation, we aimed to identify characteristics of those engaging in conservation physiology research (e.g. demographics, primary taxa of study), gauge conservation physiology's role in contributing to on-the-ground conservation action, identify the perceived barriers to achieving success and determine how difficult any identified barriers are to overcome. Despite all participants having experience combining physiology and conservation, only one-third considered themselves to be 'conservation physiologists'. Moreover, there was a general perception that conservation physiology does not yet regularly lead to tangible conservation success. Respondents identified the recent conceptualization of the field and the broader issue of adequately translating science into management action as the primary reasons for these deficits. Other significant barriers that respondents have faced when integrating physiology and conservation science included a lack of funding, logistical constraints (e.g. sample sizes, obtaining permits) and a lack of physiological baseline data (i.e. reference ranges of a physiological metric's 'normal' or pre-environmental change levels). We identified 12 actions based on suggestions of survey participants that we anticipate will help deconstruct the barriers and continue to develop a narrative of physiology that is relevant to conservation science, policy and practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christine L Madliger
- Department of Biology and Institute of Environmental and Interdisciplinary Science, Carleton University, 1125 Colonel By Dr., Ottawa, Ontario, K1S 5B6, Canada
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of Windsor, 401 Sunset Ave., Ontario, N9B 3P4, Canada
| | - Oliver P Love
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of Windsor, 401 Sunset Ave., Ontario, N9B 3P4, Canada
| | - Vivian M Nguyen
- Department of Biology and Institute of Environmental and Interdisciplinary Science, Carleton University, 1125 Colonel By Dr., Ottawa, Ontario, K1S 5B6, Canada
| | - Neal R Haddaway
- Stockholm Environment Institute, Linnégatan 87D, 10451 Stockholm, Sweden
- Mercator Research Institute on Global Commons and Climate Change, Torgauer Strasse 19, 10829, Berlin, Germany
- Africa Centre for Evidence, University of Johannesburg, Johannesburg, 2092, South Africa
| | - Steven J Cooke
- Department of Biology and Institute of Environmental and Interdisciplinary Science, Carleton University, 1125 Colonel By Dr., Ottawa, Ontario, K1S 5B6, Canada
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16
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Elmer LK, Madliger CL, Blumstein DT, Elvidge CK, Fernández-Juricic E, Horodysky AZ, Johnson NS, McGuire LP, Swaisgood RR, Cooke SJ. Exploiting common senses: sensory ecology meets wildlife conservation and management. CONSERVATION PHYSIOLOGY 2021; 9:coab002. [PMID: 33815799 PMCID: PMC8009554 DOI: 10.1093/conphys/coab002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2020] [Revised: 10/27/2020] [Accepted: 01/06/2021] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
Multidisciplinary approaches to conservation and wildlife management are often effective in addressing complex, multi-factor problems. Emerging fields such as conservation physiology and conservation behaviour can provide innovative solutions and management strategies for target species and systems. Sensory ecology combines the study of 'how animals acquire' and process sensory stimuli from their environments, and the ecological and evolutionary significance of 'how animals respond' to this information. We review the benefits that sensory ecology can bring to wildlife conservation and management by discussing case studies across major taxa and sensory modalities. Conservation practices informed by a sensory ecology approach include the amelioration of sensory traps, control of invasive species, reduction of human-wildlife conflicts and relocation and establishment of new populations of endangered species. We illustrate that sensory ecology can facilitate the understanding of mechanistic ecological and physiological explanations underlying particular conservation issues and also can help develop innovative solutions to ameliorate conservation problems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura K Elmer
- Fish Ecology and Conservation Physiology Laboratory, Department of Biology and Institute of Environmental and Interdisciplinary Science, Carleton University, Ottawa, ON K1S 5B6, Canada
| | - Christine L Madliger
- Fish Ecology and Conservation Physiology Laboratory, Department of Biology and Institute of Environmental and Interdisciplinary Science, Carleton University, Ottawa, ON K1S 5B6, Canada
| | - Daniel T Blumstein
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Institute of the Environment and Sustainability, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095-1606, USA
| | - Chris K Elvidge
- Fish Ecology and Conservation Physiology Laboratory, Department of Biology and Institute of Environmental and Interdisciplinary Science, Carleton University, Ottawa, ON K1S 5B6, Canada
| | | | - Andrij Z Horodysky
- Department of Marine and Environmental Science, Hampton University, Hampton, VA 23668, USA
| | - Nicholas S Johnson
- USGS, Great Lakes Science Center, Hammond Bay Biological Station, Millersburg, MI 49759, USA
| | - Liam P McGuire
- Department of Biology, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON N2L 3G1, Canada
| | - Ronald R Swaisgood
- Institute for Conservation Research, San Diego Zoo Global, San Diego, CA 92027-7000, USA
| | - Steven J Cooke
- Fish Ecology and Conservation Physiology Laboratory, Department of Biology and Institute of Environmental and Interdisciplinary Science, Carleton University, Ottawa, ON K1S 5B6, Canada
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17
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Guedes MEG, Correia TG. Plasma energetic substrates and hepatic enzymes in the four-eyed fish Anableps anableps (Teleostei: Cyprinodontiformes) during the dry and rainy seasons in the Amazonian Island of Maracá, extreme north of Brazil. NEOTROPICAL ICHTHYOLOGY 2021. [DOI: 10.1590/1982-0224-2021-0078] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
ABSTRACT Anableps anableps is a viviparous teleost typical from Amazon Delta estuaries. It is representative of this biome in Maracá, which offers a potential for biomonitoring. The aim of this study is to apply different biomarkers to males and females of this species and verify possible seasonal influences on their physiology. To collect fish, three expeditions were carried out from the rainy season of April 2018 to the rainy season of February 2019. Biometric parameters and gonadosomatic (GSI), hepatosomatic (HSI), and viscerosomatic (VSI) indexes were calculated, and blood samples were taken to measure triglycerides, total proteins, glucose, and activity of the enzymes aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP). The GSI of males is higher in the rainy season and of females in the dry season. This is probably related to the embryogenesis process. Males show an increase in biomass during the dry season, a metabolic homogeneity, and females show an increase in plasma glucose, triglycerides, and ALT activity. The tested biomarkers are potential for biomonitoring, preliminarily suggesting that there is a seasonal asynchronism between males and females of A. anableps as for the allocation of energy resources at different times of their life cycle.
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18
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Ohmer MEB, Costantini D, Czirják GÁ, Downs CJ, Ferguson LV, Flies A, Franklin CE, Kayigwe AN, Knutie S, Richards-Zawacki CL, Cramp RL. Applied ecoimmunology: using immunological tools to improve conservation efforts in a changing world. CONSERVATION PHYSIOLOGY 2021; 9:coab074. [PMID: 34512994 PMCID: PMC8422949 DOI: 10.1093/conphys/coab074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2021] [Revised: 07/27/2021] [Accepted: 08/09/2021] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
Ecoimmunology is a rapidly developing field that explores how the environment shapes immune function, which in turn influences host-parasite relationships and disease outcomes. Host immune defence is a key fitness determinant because it underlies the capacity of animals to resist or tolerate potential infections. Importantly, immune function can be suppressed, depressed, reconfigured or stimulated by exposure to rapidly changing environmental drivers like temperature, pollutants and food availability. Thus, hosts may experience trade-offs resulting from altered investment in immune function under environmental stressors. As such, approaches in ecoimmunology can provide powerful tools to assist in the conservation of wildlife. Here, we provide case studies that explore the diverse ways that ecoimmunology can inform and advance conservation efforts, from understanding how Galapagos finches will fare with introduced parasites, to using methods from human oncology to design vaccines against a transmissible cancer in Tasmanian devils. In addition, we discuss the future of ecoimmunology and present 10 questions that can help guide this emerging field to better inform conservation decisions and biodiversity protection. From better linking changes in immune function to disease outcomes under different environmental conditions, to understanding how individual variation contributes to disease dynamics in wild populations, there is immense potential for ecoimmunology to inform the conservation of imperilled hosts in the face of new and re-emerging pathogens, in addition to improving the detection and management of emerging potential zoonoses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michel E B Ohmer
- Living Earth Collaborative, Washington University in St. Louis, MO 63130, USA
| | - David Costantini
- Unité Physiologie Moléculaire et Adaptation (PhyMA), Muséum National d’Histoire Naturelle, CNRS, 57 Rue Cuvier, CP32, 75005, Paris, France
| | - Gábor Á Czirják
- Department of Wildlife Diseases, Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research, 10315 Berlin, Germany
| | - Cynthia J Downs
- Department of Environmental Biology, SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry, Syracuse, NY 13210, USA
| | - Laura V Ferguson
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS B3H 4R2, Canada
| | - Andy Flies
- Menzies Institute for Medical Research, University of Tasmania, Tasmania 7001, Australia
| | - Craig E Franklin
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Queensland, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Ahab N Kayigwe
- Menzies Institute for Medical Research, University of Tasmania, Tasmania 7001, Australia
| | - Sarah Knutie
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT 06268, USA
- Institute for Systems Genomics, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT 06268, USA
| | | | - Rebecca L Cramp
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Queensland, Queensland 4072, Australia
- Corresponding author: School of Biological Sciences, The University of Queensland, Queensland 4072, Australia.
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19
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Cooke SJ, Bergman JN, Madliger CL, Cramp RL, Beardall J, Burness G, Clark TD, Dantzer B, de la Barrera E, Fangue NA, Franklin CE, Fuller A, Hawkes LA, Hultine KR, Hunt KE, Love OP, MacMillan HA, Mandelman JW, Mark FC, Martin LB, Newman AEM, Nicotra AB, Raby GD, Robinson SA, Ropert-Coudert Y, Rummer JL, Seebacher F, Todgham AE, Tomlinson S, Chown SL. One hundred research questions in conservation physiology for generating actionable evidence to inform conservation policy and practice. CONSERVATION PHYSIOLOGY 2021; 9:coab009. [PMID: 33859825 PMCID: PMC8035967 DOI: 10.1093/conphys/coab009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2020] [Revised: 01/28/2021] [Accepted: 01/29/2021] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
Environmental change and biodiversity loss are but two of the complex challenges facing conservation practitioners and policy makers. Relevant and robust scientific knowledge is critical for providing decision-makers with the actionable evidence needed to inform conservation decisions. In the Anthropocene, science that leads to meaningful improvements in biodiversity conservation, restoration and management is desperately needed. Conservation Physiology has emerged as a discipline that is well-positioned to identify the mechanisms underpinning population declines, predict responses to environmental change and test different in situ and ex situ conservation interventions for diverse taxa and ecosystems. Here we present a consensus list of 10 priority research themes. Within each theme we identify specific research questions (100 in total), answers to which will address conservation problems and should improve the management of biological resources. The themes frame a set of research questions related to the following: (i) adaptation and phenotypic plasticity; (ii) human-induced environmental change; (iii) human-wildlife interactions; (iv) invasive species; (v) methods, biomarkers and monitoring; (vi) policy, engagement and communication; (vii) pollution; (viii) restoration actions; (ix) threatened species; and (x) urban systems. The themes and questions will hopefully guide and inspire researchers while also helping to demonstrate to practitioners and policy makers the many ways in which physiology can help to support their decisions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Steven J Cooke
- Fish Ecology and Conservation Physiology Laboratory, Department of Biology and Institute of Environmental and Interdisciplinary Science, Carleton University, 1125 Colonel By Dr., Ottawa, Ontario K1S 5B6, Canada
- Corresponding author: Fish Ecology and Conservation Physiology Laboratory, Department of Biology and Institute of Environmental and Interdisciplinary Science, Carleton University, 1125 Colonel By Dr., Ottawa, Ontario K1S 5B6, Canada.
| | - Jordanna N Bergman
- Fish Ecology and Conservation Physiology Laboratory, Department of Biology and Institute of Environmental and Interdisciplinary Science, Carleton University, 1125 Colonel By Dr., Ottawa, Ontario K1S 5B6, Canada
| | - Christine L Madliger
- Fish Ecology and Conservation Physiology Laboratory, Department of Biology and Institute of Environmental and Interdisciplinary Science, Carleton University, 1125 Colonel By Dr., Ottawa, Ontario K1S 5B6, Canada
| | - Rebecca L Cramp
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane 4072, Australia
| | - John Beardall
- Securing Antarctica’s Environmental Future, School of Biological Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria 3800, Australia
| | - Gary Burness
- Department of Biology, Trent University, 1600 West Bank Drive, Peterborough, Ontario K9L 0G2, Canada
| | - Timothy D Clark
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Deakin University, Geelong, Victoria 3216, Australia
| | - Ben Dantzer
- Department of Psychology, Department of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Erick de la Barrera
- Instituto de Investigaciones en Ecosistemas y Sustentabilidad, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Antigua Carretera a Pátzcuaro 8701, Morelia, Michoacán, 58190, Mexico
| | - Nann A Fangue
- Department of Wildlife, Fish & Conservation Biology, University of California, Davis, One Shields Avenue, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - Craig E Franklin
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane 4072, Australia
| | - Andrea Fuller
- Brain Function Research Group, School of Physiology, University of the Witwatersrand, 7 York Rd, Parktown, 2193, South Africa
| | - Lucy A Hawkes
- College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Hatherly Laboratories, University of Exeter, Prince of Wales Road, Exeter EX4 4PS, UK
| | - Kevin R Hultine
- Department of Research, Conservation and Collections, Desert Botanical Garden, Phoenix, AZ 85008, USA
| | - Kathleen E Hunt
- Smithsonian-Mason School of Conservation, 1500 Remount Road, Front Royal, VA 22630, USA
| | - Oliver P Love
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of Windsor, 401 Sunset Avenue, Windsor, Ontario N9B 3P4, Canada
| | - Heath A MacMillan
- Department of Biology and Institute of Biochemistry, Carleton University, 1125 Colonel By Dr., Ottawa, Ontario K1S 5B6, Canada
| | - John W Mandelman
- Anderson Cabot Center for Ocean Life, New England Aquarium, 1 Central Wharf, Boston, MA, 02110, USA
| | - Felix C Mark
- Department of Integrative Ecophysiology, Alfred Wegener Institute Helmholtz Center for Polar and Marine Research, Am Handelshafen 12, 27570 Bremerhaven, Germany
| | - Lynn B Martin
- Global Health and Infectious Disease Research, University of South Florida, 3720 Spectrum Boulevard, Tampa, FL 33612, USA
| | - Amy E M Newman
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario N1G 2W1, Canada
| | - Adrienne B Nicotra
- Research School of Biology, Australian National University, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory 2601, Australia
| | - Graham D Raby
- Department of Biology, Trent University, 1600 West Bank Drive, Peterborough, Ontario K9L 0G2, Canada
| | - Sharon A Robinson
- School of Earth, Atmospheric and Life Sciences (SEALS) and Centre for Sustainable Ecosystem Solutions, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, New South Wales 2522, Australia
| | - Yan Ropert-Coudert
- Centre d'Etudes Biologiques de Chizé, CNRS UMR 7372—La Rochelle Université, 79360 Villiers-en-Bois, France
| | - Jodie L Rummer
- ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, James Cook University, Townsville, Queensland 4811, Australia
| | - Frank Seebacher
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences A08, University of Sydney, New South Wales 2006, Australia
| | - Anne E Todgham
- Department of Animal Science, University of California Davis, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - Sean Tomlinson
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Adelaide, North Terrace, Adelaide, South Australia 5000, Australia
| | - Steven L Chown
- Securing Antarctica’s Environmental Future, School of Biological Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria 3800, Australia
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20
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Brewster CL, Ortega J, Beaupre SJ. Integrating bioenergetics and conservation biology: thermal sensitivity of digestive performance in Eastern Collared Lizards ( Crotaphytus collaris) may affect population persistence. CONSERVATION PHYSIOLOGY 2020; 8:coaa018. [PMID: 32274065 PMCID: PMC7125047 DOI: 10.1093/conphys/coaa018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2019] [Revised: 02/07/2019] [Accepted: 02/13/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Information on bioenergetics can provide valuable insight into the ecology, life history and population dynamics of organisms. For ectothermic animals, thermal sensitivity of digestion is an important determinant of net assimilated energy budgets. A recent study in the Ozark Mountains indicated that eastern collared lizards (Crotaphytus collaris) restricted to encroached glades (characterized by woody vegetation encroachment) experience reduced environmental heat loads and have reduced age-specific growth and reproductive rates compared to populations in intact glades. To assess the potential impact of reduced body temperatures on assimilation rates of C. collaris in encroached glades, we conducted feeding trials across four temperature treatments (28, 31, 34 and 37°C). We tested for temperature effects on voluntary feeding rates, passage times, apparent assimilated energy (AE) and metabolizable energy (ME). Passage times decreased and voluntary feeding rates increased significantly with increasing temperature. Consumption explained the majority of variance in AE and ME, followed by the effect of temperature treatments. Using data on voluntary feeding rates, passage times and ME as a function of temperature, we estimated over a 10-fold increase in predicted daily assimilated energy across temperature treatments (28°C = 0.58 kJ/day, 31°C = 1.20 kJ/day, 34°C = 4.30 kJ/day, 37°C = 7.95 kJ/day). Thus, lower heat loads in encroached glades may cause reduced body temperature and result in restricted energy assimilation rates. Our study provides a novel approach to the integration of bioenergetics and conservation and shows the efficacy of using information on digestive performance to investigate underlying mechanisms in a conservation context.
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Affiliation(s)
- Casey L Brewster
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR 72701, USA
| | - Jason Ortega
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR 72701, USA
| | - Steven J Beaupre
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR 72701, USA
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21
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Brunton EA, Clemente CJ, Burnett SE. Not all urban landscapes are the same: interactions between urban land use and stress in a large herbivorous mammal. ECOLOGICAL APPLICATIONS : A PUBLICATION OF THE ECOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA 2020; 30:e02055. [PMID: 31828865 DOI: 10.1002/eap.2055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2019] [Revised: 08/22/2019] [Accepted: 11/04/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Urbanization significantly impacts the health and viability of wildlife populations yet it is not well understood how urban landscapes differ from non-urban landscapes with regard to their effects on wildlife. This study investigated the physiological response of eastern grey kangaroos (Macropus giganteus) to land use at a landscape scale. Using fecal glucocorticoid metabolites (FGM) we compared stress levels of kangaroo populations in urban and non-urban environments. We modeled FGM concentrations from 24 kangaroo populations against land use (urban or non-urban) and other anthropogenic and environmental factors, using a linear modeling approach. We found that land use was a significant predictor of FGM concentrations in eastern grey kangaroos with significant differences in concentrations between urban and non-urban populations. However, the direction of the relationship differed between northern and southern regions of Australia. In the northern study sites, kangaroos in urban areas had significantly higher FGM levels than their non-urban counterparts. In contrast, in southern sites, where kangaroos occur in high densities in many urban areas, urban kangaroos had lower FGM concentrations than non-urban kangaroos. Rainfall and temperature were also significant predictors of FGM and the direction of the relationship was consistent across both regions. These results are consistent with the contrasting abundance and persistence of kangaroo populations within the urban matrix between the two study regions. In the northern region many populations have declined over the last two decades and are fragmented, also occurring at lower densities than in southern sites. Our study indicates that it is the characteristics of urban environments, rather than the urban environment per se, which determines the extent of impacts of urbanization on kangaroos. This research provides insights into how the design of urban landscapes can influence large mammal populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth A Brunton
- School of Science and Engineering, University of the Sunshine Coast, 90 Sippy Downs Drive, Sippy Downs, Queensland, 4556, Australia
| | - Christofer J Clemente
- School of Science and Engineering, University of the Sunshine Coast, 90 Sippy Downs Drive, Sippy Downs, Queensland, 4556, Australia
| | - Scott E Burnett
- School of Science and Engineering, University of the Sunshine Coast, 90 Sippy Downs Drive, Sippy Downs, Queensland, 4556, Australia
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22
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Nabi G, Li Y, McLaughlin RW, Mei Z, Wang K, Hao Y, Zheng J, Wang D. Immune Responses of the Critically Endangered Yangtze Finless Porpoises ( Neophocaena asiaeorientalis ssp. asiaeorientalis) to Escalating Anthropogenic Stressors in the Wild and Seminatural Environments. Front Physiol 2020; 10:1594. [PMID: 32116734 PMCID: PMC7010939 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2019.01594] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2019] [Accepted: 12/19/2019] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Increasing anthropogenic stressors are potential threats to biodiversity conservation and management of Yangtze finless porpoises (YFPs). The objective of this study was to indirectly compare the habitat quality of a natural reserve, Poyang Lake and a seminatural reserve, the Tian-E-Zhou Oxbow (TZO) in terms of anthropogenic stressors by investigating different stress and immunological parameters in the blood of YFPs. Samples from a total of 74 YFPs from the TZO (n = 43) and Poyang Lake (n = 31) were collected and analyzed. The animals were divided into ontogenetic groups: male calf, female calf, juvenile female, juvenile male, and adult male, and reproductive groups: pregnant female, lactating female, and pregnant plus lactating. The blood from all the animals was analyzed for general stress (HSP14, SOD1, TXN, and FTL), metabolic stress (ACAT2 and THRA), and immunity-related genes (IL12p40, IFNγ, TNFα; IL1α, IL1ra, COX2, CRPL, IL4, and IL8) using qPCR. YFPs living in Poyang Lake showed an increased relative expression pattern for IFNγ, IL1ra, IL4, ACAT2, and CRPL across all the ontogenetic groups with significantly higher expression in adult males. In contrast, YFPs living in the TZO showed a significantly higher expression in 13 of 15 genes analyzed in the male calf group. Across the reproductive states for porpoises living in Poyang Lake, eight of the 15 genes in the pregnant female and three of the 15 genes in the pregnant plus lactating group had a significantly higher expression level. However, in YFPs living in the TZO, eight of the 15 genes showed significantly higher expression in the pregnant and lactating groups. There was significantly a higher expression of most of the genes in porpoises living in the TZO compared to the age-matched groups from porpoises living in Poyang Lake. The exception was the pregnant female group. The higher relative expression of stress and immune genes in the TZO porpoise population compared to porpoises living in Poyang Lake suggests the effects of worsening habitat quality, possibly indicating water pollution and lack of feeding resources.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ghulam Nabi
- The Key Laboratory of Aquatic Biodiversity and Conservation, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.,Key Laboratory of Animal Physiology, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology of Hebei Province, College of Life Science, Hebei Normal University, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Ying Li
- The Key Laboratory of Aquatic Biodiversity and Conservation, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | | | - Zhigang Mei
- The Key Laboratory of Aquatic Biodiversity and Conservation, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, China
| | - Kexiong Wang
- The Key Laboratory of Aquatic Biodiversity and Conservation, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, China
| | - Yujiang Hao
- The Key Laboratory of Aquatic Biodiversity and Conservation, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, China
| | - Jinsong Zheng
- The Key Laboratory of Aquatic Biodiversity and Conservation, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, China
| | - Ding Wang
- The Key Laboratory of Aquatic Biodiversity and Conservation, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, China
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Injaian AS, Francis CD, Ouyang JQ, Dominoni DM, Donald JW, Fuxjager MJ, Goymann W, Hau M, Husak JF, Johnson MA, Kircher BK, Knapp R, Martin LB, Miller ET, Schoenle LA, Williams TD, Vitousek MN. Baseline and stress-induced corticosterone levels across birds and reptiles do not reflect urbanization levels. CONSERVATION PHYSIOLOGY 2020; 8:coz110. [PMID: 31993201 PMCID: PMC6978728 DOI: 10.1093/conphys/coz110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2019] [Revised: 09/10/2019] [Accepted: 12/03/2019] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
Rates of human-induced environmental change continue increasing with human population size, potentially altering animal physiology and negatively affecting wildlife. Researchers often use glucocorticoid concentrations (hormones that can be associated with stressors) to gauge the impact of anthropogenic factors (e.g. urbanization, noise and light pollution). Yet, no general relationships between human-induced environmental change and glucocorticoids have emerged. Given the number of recent studies reporting baseline and stress-induced corticosterone (the primary glucocorticoid in birds and reptiles) concentrations worldwide, it is now possible to conduct large-scale comparative analyses to test for general associations between disturbance and baseline and stress-induced corticosterone across species. Additionally, we can control for factors that may influence context, such as life history stage, environmental conditions and urban adaptability of a species. Here, we take a phylogenetically informed approach and use data from HormoneBase to test if baseline and stress-induced corticosterone are valid indicators of exposure to human footprint index, human population density, anthropogenic noise and artificial light at night in birds and reptiles. Our results show a negative relationship between anthropogenic noise and baseline corticosterone for birds characterized as urban avoiders. While our results potentially indicate that urban avoiders are more sensitive to noise than other species, overall our study suggests that the relationship between human-induced environmental change and corticosterone varies across species and contexts; we found no general relationship between human impacts and baseline and stress-induced corticosterone in birds, nor baseline corticosterone in reptiles. Therefore, it should not be assumed that high or low levels of exposure to human-induced environmental change are associated with high or low corticosterone levels, respectively, or that closely related species, or even individuals, will respond similarly. Moving forward, measuring alternative physiological traits alongside reproductive success, health and survival may provide context to better understand the potential negative effects of human-induced environmental change.
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Affiliation(s)
- Allison S Injaian
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca NY 14853, USA
- Center for Conservation Bioacoustics, Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Ithaca NY 14850, USA
| | - Clinton D Francis
- Biological Sciences Department, California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, CA 93407, USA
| | - Jenny Q Ouyang
- Department of Biology, University of Nevada, Reno, NV 89557, USA
| | - Davide M Dominoni
- Department of Animal Ecology, Netherlands Institute of Ecology, Wageningen, Netherlands
- Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative Medicine, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8QQ, UK
| | - Jeremy W Donald
- Coates Library, Trinity University, San Antonio, TX 78212, USA
| | - Matthew J Fuxjager
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Brown University, Providence RI 02912, USA
| | | | - Michaela Hau
- Max Planck Institute for Ornithology, Seewiesen 82319, Germany
- University of Konstanz, 78457 Konstanz, Germany
| | - Jerry F Husak
- Department of Biology, University of St. Thomas, St. Paul, MN 55105, USA
| | - Michele A Johnson
- Department of Biology, Trinity University, San Antonio, TX 78212, USA
| | - Bonnie K Kircher
- Department of Biology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32608, USA
| | - Rosemary Knapp
- Department of Biology, University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK 73019, USA
| | - Lynn B Martin
- Department of Global Health, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL 33620, USA
| | | | - Laura A Schoenle
- Office of Undergraduate Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca NY 14853, USA
| | - Tony D Williams
- Department of Biological Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC V5A 1S6, Canada
| | - Maren N Vitousek
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca NY 14853, USA
- Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Ithaca NY 14850, USA
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24
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Pritchard CE, Palme R, Langkilde T. Glucocorticoid and triiodothyronine concentrations do not correlate with behavior in vicuñas (Vicugna vicugna). Gen Comp Endocrinol 2020; 286:113299. [PMID: 31606464 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygcen.2019.113299] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2019] [Revised: 10/07/2019] [Accepted: 10/09/2019] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
State-dependent foraging theory posits that animals should make foraging decisions based on energetic condition, where animals with fewer energetic reserves prioritize foraging over other behaviors, including antipredator behaviors. However, few studies have investigated these trade-offs at an individual level in wild, free-ranging animals. We investigated the relationships between internal condition and behavior in a wild mammal, the vicuña (Vicugna vicugna), which makes state-dependent decisions about the use of two habitats with different characteristics that contribute to their internal condition. Using non-invasively collected fecal samples, we measured glucocorticoid metabolites (GCMs) and thyroid hormones (THs) as indicators of combined stress (predation and nutritional), and just nutritional stress, respectively. We video recorded 20-minute behavioral observations and focused on behaviors which often demand a trade-off between energy acquisition and antipredator behaviors-vigilance and foraging. We found differences in expression of these behaviors between the two sites but found no relationships between physiological parameters (GCMs and THs) and behavior (vigilance and foraging) at either site. We suggest that state-dependent foraging may be difficult to observe in large mammals under baseline conditions and that GCMs and THs may be insensitive to small changes in stress stimuli at this scale, and where these wild animals have the entire suite of behavioral responses available to them.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catharine E Pritchard
- 208 Mueller Laboratory, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16801, USA.
| | - Rupert Palme
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Veterinary Medicine, Veterinärplatz 1, 1210 Vienna, Austria.
| | - Tracy Langkilde
- 208 Mueller Laboratory, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16801, USA.
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25
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Cooke SJ, Madliger CL, Cramp RL, Beardall J, Burness G, Chown SL, Clark TD, Dantzer B, de la Barrera E, Fangue NA, Franklin CE, Fuller A, Hawkes LA, Hultine KR, Hunt KE, Love OP, MacMillan HA, Mandelman JW, Mark FC, Martin LB, Newman AEM, Nicotra AB, Robinson SA, Ropert-Coudert Y, Rummer JL, Seebacher F, Todgham AE. Reframing conservation physiology to be more inclusive, integrative, relevant and forward-looking: reflections and a horizon scan. CONSERVATION PHYSIOLOGY 2020; 8:coaa016. [PMID: 32274063 PMCID: PMC7125050 DOI: 10.1093/conphys/coaa016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2019] [Revised: 01/27/2020] [Accepted: 02/10/2020] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
Applying physiological tools, knowledge and concepts to understand conservation problems (i.e. conservation physiology) has become commonplace and confers an ability to understand mechanistic processes, develop predictive models and identify cause-and-effect relationships. Conservation physiology is making contributions to conservation solutions; the number of 'success stories' is growing, but there remain unexplored opportunities for which conservation physiology shows immense promise and has the potential to contribute to major advances in protecting and restoring biodiversity. Here, we consider how conservation physiology has evolved with a focus on reframing the discipline to be more inclusive and integrative. Using a 'horizon scan', we further explore ways in which conservation physiology can be more relevant to pressing conservation issues of today (e.g. addressing the Sustainable Development Goals; delivering science to support the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration), as well as more forward-looking to inform emerging issues and policies for tomorrow. Our horizon scan provides evidence that, as the discipline of conservation physiology continues to mature, it provides a wealth of opportunities to promote integration, inclusivity and forward-thinking goals that contribute to achieving conservation gains. To advance environmental management and ecosystem restoration, we need to ensure that the underlying science (such as that generated by conservation physiology) is relevant with accompanying messaging that is straightforward and accessible to end users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Steven J Cooke
- Fish Ecology and Conservation Physiology Laboratory, Department of Biology and Institute of Environmental and Interdisciplinary Science, Carleton University, 1125 Colonel By Dr., Ottawa, ON, K1S 5B6, Canada
- Corresponding author: Fish Ecology and Conservation Physiology Laboratory, Department of Biology and Institute of Environmental and Interdisciplinary Science, Carleton University, 1125 Colonel By Dr., Ottawa, ON, K1S 5B6, Canada.
| | - Christine L Madliger
- Fish Ecology and Conservation Physiology Laboratory, Department of Biology and Institute of Environmental and Interdisciplinary Science, Carleton University, 1125 Colonel By Dr., Ottawa, ON, K1S 5B6, Canada
| | - Rebecca L Cramp
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, 4072, Australia
| | - John Beardall
- School of Biological Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria 3800, Australia
| | - Gary Burness
- Department of Biology, Trent University, 1600 West Bank Drive, Peterborough, ON, K9L 0G2, Canada
| | - Steven L Chown
- School of Biological Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria 3800, Australia
| | - Timothy D Clark
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Deakin University, Geelong, Victoria 14 3216, Australia
| | - Ben Dantzer
- Department of Psychology, Department of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Erick de la Barrera
- Instituto de Investigaciones en Ecosistemas y Sustentabilidad, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Antigua Carretera a Pátzcuaro 8701, Morelia, Michoacán, 58190, Mexico
| | - Nann A Fangue
- Department of Wildlife, Fish & Conservation Biology, University of California, Davis, One Shields Avenue, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - Craig E Franklin
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, 4072, Australia
| | - Andrea Fuller
- Brain Function Research Group, School of Physiology, University of the Witwatersrand, 7 York Rd, Parktown, 2193, South Africa
| | - Lucy A Hawkes
- College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Hatherly Laboratories, University of Exeter, Prince of Wales Road, Exeter, EX4 4PS, UK
| | - Kevin R Hultine
- Department of Research, Conservation and Collections, Desert Botanical Garden, Phoenix, AZ 85008, USA
| | - Kathleen E Hunt
- Department of Biology, George Mason University, Fairfax, VA 22030, USA
| | - Oliver P Love
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of Windsor, 401 Sunset Avenue, Windsor, ON N9B 3P4, Canada
| | - Heath A MacMillan
- Department of Biology and Institute of Biochemistry, Carleton University, 1125 Colonel By Dr., Ottawa, ON K1S 5B6, Canada
| | - John W Mandelman
- Anderson Cabot Center for Ocean Life, New England Aquarium, 1 Central Wharf, Boston, MA 02110, USA
| | - Felix C Mark
- Department of Integrative Ecophysiology, Alfred Wegener Institute Helmholtz Center for Polar and Marine Research, Am Handelshafen 12, 27574 Bremerhaven, Germany
| | - Lynn B Martin
- Global Health and Infectious Disease Research, University of South Florida, 3720 Spectrum Boulevard, Tampa, FL 33612, USA
| | - Amy E M Newman
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, N1G 2W1, Canada
| | - Adrienne B Nicotra
- Research School of Biology, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia
| | - Sharon A Robinson
- School of Earth, Atmospheric and Life Sciences (SEALS) and Centre for Sustainable Ecosystem Solutions, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia
| | - Yan Ropert-Coudert
- Centre d'Etudes Biologiques de Chizé, CNRS UMR 7372 - La Rochelle Université, 79360 Villiers-en-Bois, France
| | - Jodie L Rummer
- ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD 5811, Australia
| | - Frank Seebacher
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences A08, University of Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
| | - Anne E Todgham
- Department of Animal Science, University of California Davis, One Shields Ave. Davis, CA, 95616, USA
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26
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Ames EM, Gade MR, Nieman CL, Wright JR, Tonra CM, Marroquin CM, Tutterow AM, Gray SM. Striving for population-level conservation: integrating physiology across the biological hierarchy. CONSERVATION PHYSIOLOGY 2020; 8:coaa019. [PMID: 32274066 PMCID: PMC7125044 DOI: 10.1093/conphys/coaa019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2019] [Revised: 02/07/2020] [Accepted: 02/13/2020] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
The field of conservation physiology strives to achieve conservation goals by revealing physiological mechanisms that drive population declines in the face of human-induced rapid environmental change (HIREC) and has informed many successful conservation actions. However, many studies still struggle to explicitly link individual physiological measures to impacts across the biological hierarchy (to population and ecosystem levels) and instead rely on a 'black box' of assumptions to scale up results for conservation implications. Here, we highlight some examples of studies that were successful in scaling beyond the individual level, including two case studies of well-researched species, and using other studies we highlight challenges and future opportunities to increase the impact of research by scaling up the biological hierarchy. We first examine studies that use individual physiological measures to scale up to population-level impacts and discuss several emerging fields that have made significant steps toward addressing the gap between individual-based and demographic studies, such as macrophysiology and landscape physiology. Next, we examine how future studies can scale from population or species-level to community- and ecosystem-level impacts and discuss avenues of research that can lead to conservation implications at the ecosystem level, such as abiotic gradients and interspecific interactions. In the process, we review methods that researchers can use to make links across the biological hierarchy, including crossing disciplinary boundaries, collaboration and data sharing, spatial modelling and incorporating multiple markers (e.g. physiological, behavioural or demographic) into their research. We recommend future studies incorporating tools that consider the diversity of 'landscapes' experienced by animals at higher levels of the biological hierarchy, will make more effective contributions to conservation and management decisions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth M Ames
- School of the Environment and Natural Resources, The Ohio State University, 2021 Coffey Road, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Meaghan R Gade
- School of the Environment and Natural Resources, The Ohio State University, 2021 Coffey Road, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Chelsey L Nieman
- School of the Environment and Natural Resources, The Ohio State University, 2021 Coffey Road, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - James R Wright
- School of the Environment and Natural Resources, The Ohio State University, 2021 Coffey Road, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Christopher M Tonra
- School of the Environment and Natural Resources, The Ohio State University, 2021 Coffey Road, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Cynthia M Marroquin
- Departmant of Evolution, Ecology and Organismal Biology, The Ohio State University, 318 W. 12th Ave., Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Annalee M Tutterow
- School of the Environment and Natural Resources, The Ohio State University, 2021 Coffey Road, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Suzanne M Gray
- School of the Environment and Natural Resources, The Ohio State University, 2021 Coffey Road, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
- Corresponding author: School of the Environment and Natural Resources, The Ohio State University, 2021 Coffey Road, Columbus, OH 43210, USA. Tel: 614-292-4643.
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27
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Noninvasive measures of physiological stress are confounded by exposure. Sci Rep 2019; 9:19170. [PMID: 31844125 PMCID: PMC6915565 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-55715-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2019] [Accepted: 11/26/2019] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Glucocorticoids and glucocorticoid metabolites are increasingly used to index physiological stress in wildlife. Although feces is often abundant and can be collected noninvasively, exposure to biotic and abiotic elements may influence fecal glucocorticoid metabolite (FGM) concentrations, leading to inaccurate conclusions regarding wildlife physiological stress. Using captive snowshoe hares (Lepus americanus) and simulated environmental conditions, we evaluated how different realistic field conditions and temporal sampling constraints might influence FGM concentrations using an 11-oxoetiocholanolone-enzyme immunoassay. We quantified how fecal pellet age (i.e., 0–6 days), variable summer temperatures, and precipitation affected FGM concentrations. Fecal pellet age had a strong effect on FGM concentrations (βAge = 0.395, s.d. = 0.085; β2Age = −0.061, s.d. = 0.012), which were lowest at the beginning and end of our exposure period (e.g., meanday6 = 37.7 ng/mg) and typically highest in the middle (meanday3 = 51.8 ng/mg). The effect of fecal pellet age on FGM concentrations varied across treatments with warm-dry and cool-wet conditions resulting in more variable FGM concentrations relative to control samples. Given the confounding effects of exposure and environmental conditions, if fresh fecal pellet collection is not an option, we encourage researchers to develop a temporally consistent sampling protocol to ensure all samples are exposed to similar environmental conditions.
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28
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Nabi G, Hao Y, Robeck TR, Jinsong Z, Wang D. Physiological consequences of biologic state and habitat dynamics on the critically endangered Yangtze finless porpoises ( Neophocaena asiaeorientalis ssp. asiaeorientalis) dwelling in the wild and semi-natural environment. CONSERVATION PHYSIOLOGY 2018; 6:coy072. [PMID: 30581572 PMCID: PMC6298535 DOI: 10.1093/conphys/coy072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2018] [Revised: 11/19/2018] [Accepted: 11/29/2018] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
The objectives of this study were to investigate the effects of habitat and biological state on the physiology of critically endangered wild and semi-natural Yangtze Finless Porpoises (YFPs; Neophocaena asiaeorientalis ssp. asiaeorientalis) by measuring and comparing serum biochemical parameters. A total of 168 YFPs were sampled, 68 living in the semi-natural (Tian-E-Zhou Oxbow) and 98 living in the wild (Poyang Lake, PL) environment. The YFPs in the Tian-E-Zhou Oxbow were sampled from 2002 to 2015 and in the PL from 2009 to 2017. Each population was divided into Juvenile Male, Juvenile Female, Adult Male, Pregnant and Lactating Female life history categories. Overall, with location, 19/33 of the analytes and with season 18/33 of the analytes were significantly different. Similarly, within each location, 15/33 of the analytes changed with time in PL while only 8/33 changed with time in Tian-E-Zhou Oxbow, respectively. Finally, 15/33 of the analytes demonstrated significant differences between the different age and sex groups of animals. In our study, a significant variation, as well as an increasing and decreasing pattern of several parameters in both populations, suggest a worsening ecological environment of both habitats. This study will help in health assessment, improving conservation and management practices, a crucial requisite for biodiversity conservation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ghulam Nabi
- Institute of Hydrobiology, the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, Hubei Province, People’s Republic of China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, 19 Yuquan Road, Shijingshan District, Beijing, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yujiang Hao
- Institute of Hydrobiology, the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, Hubei Province, People’s Republic of China
| | - Todd R Robeck
- SeaWorld Parks and Entertainment, 9205 South Park Center Loop, Suite 400, Orlando, FL, USA
| | - Zheng Jinsong
- Institute of Hydrobiology, the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, Hubei Province, People’s Republic of China
| | - Ding Wang
- Institute of Hydrobiology, the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, Hubei Province, People’s Republic of China
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29
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Palacios MG, D'Amico VL, Bertellotti M. Ecotourism effects on health and immunity of Magellanic penguins at two reproductive colonies with disparate touristic regimes and population trends. CONSERVATION PHYSIOLOGY 2018; 6:coy060. [PMID: 30464841 PMCID: PMC6233856 DOI: 10.1093/conphys/coy060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2018] [Revised: 09/26/2018] [Accepted: 10/16/2018] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Negative effects of ecotourism on wildlife are rising worldwide. Conservation physiology can play a major role in protecting wildlife by providing early alerts on changes in the status of individuals exposed to tourist activities. We measured an integrated set of immune and health-state indices to evaluate the effects of ecotourism on Magellanic penguins (Spheniscus magellanicus). We studied two reproductive colonies that differed in the intensity of tourism and population trends: Punta Tombo (higher tourism intensity, declining population) and San Lorenzo (lower tourism intensity, growing population). Within each colony, we compared individuals from an area that was exposed to tourists and a control area where tourism was excluded. Adult penguins exposed to tourism at Punta Tombo, but not at San Lorenzo, showed physiological alterations indicative of chronic stress (higher heterophil to lymphocyte ratios) and parasitic infection (elevated heterophil and eosinophil counts). Penguin chicks exposed to tourism at Punta Tombo, but not at San Lorenzo, also showed physiological alterations indicative of poor immune and general-health condition: lower humoral innate immunity, haematocrit, and glucose levels and higher inflammatory responses likely due to increased prevalence of fleas. Our results indicate that individuals of a declining population exposed to high levels of tourism express physiological indicators of chronic stress and poor health that could make adults and juveniles vulnerable to disease. These effects are expressed despite a long history of exposure and behavioural habituation to human visitation. In contrast, individuals of a growing population exposed to more recent and lower levels of tourism showed no effect. Our study demonstrates how a diverse physiological toolkit within a conservation physiology approach can provide important information for a better comprehension of anthropogenic effects on wild animals in our changing world.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria G Palacios
- Applied Ecophysiology Group, Centro para el Estudio de Sistemas Marinos, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CESIMAR-CONICET), Boulevard 2915 (9120) Puerto Madryn, Chubut, Argentina
| | - Verónica L D'Amico
- Applied Ecophysiology Group, Centro para el Estudio de Sistemas Marinos, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CESIMAR-CONICET), Boulevard 2915 (9120) Puerto Madryn, Chubut, Argentina
| | - Marcelo Bertellotti
- Applied Ecophysiology Group, Centro para el Estudio de Sistemas Marinos, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CESIMAR-CONICET), Boulevard 2915 (9120) Puerto Madryn, Chubut, Argentina
- Department of Production, Environment and Sustainable Development, University of Chubut, Alem 1573 (9120) Puerto Madryn, Chubut, Argentina
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30
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Champagne CD, Kellar NM, Trego ML, Delehanty B, Boonstra R, Wasser SK, Booth RK, Crocker DE, Houser DS. Comprehensive endocrine response to acute stress in the bottlenose dolphin from serum, blubber, and feces. Gen Comp Endocrinol 2018; 266:178-193. [PMID: 29852162 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygcen.2018.05.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2017] [Revised: 05/11/2018] [Accepted: 05/13/2018] [Indexed: 10/16/2022]
Abstract
Several hormones are potential indicators of stress in free-ranging animals and provide information on animal health in managed-care settings. In response to stress, glucocorticoids (GC, e.g. cortisol) first appear in circulation but are later incorporated into other tissues (e.g. adipose) or excreted in feces or urine. These alternative matrices can be sampled remotely, or by less invasive means, than required for blood collection and are especially valuable in highly mobile species, like marine mammals. We characterized the timing and magnitude of several hormones in response to a stressor in bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) and the subsequent incorporation of cortisol into blubber, and its metabolites excreted in feces. We evaluated the endocrine response to an acute stressor in bottlenose dolphins under managed care. We used a standardized stress protocol where dolphins voluntarily beached onto a padded platform and remained out of water for two hours; during the stress test blood samples were collected every 15 min and blubber biopsies were collected every hour (0, 60, and 120 min). Each subject was studied over five days: voluntary blood samples were collected on each of two days prior to the stress test; 1 and 2 h after the conclusion of the out-of-water stress test; and on the following two days after the stress test. Fecal samples were collected daily, each afternoon. The acute stressor resulted in increases in circulating ACTH, cortisol, and aldosterone during the stress test, and each returned to baseline levels within 2 h of the dolphin's return to water. Both cortisol and aldosterone concentrations were correlated with ACTH, suggesting both corticosteroids are at least partly regulated by ACTH. Thyroid hormone concentrations were generally unaffected by the acute stressor. Blubber cortisol increased during the stress test, and fecal GC excretion was elevated on the day of the stress test. We found that GCs in bottlenose dolphins can recover within hours of acute stress, and that cortisol release can be detected in alternate matrices within a few hours-within 2 h in blubber, and 3.5-5 h in fecal samples.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cory D Champagne
- National Marine Mammal Foundation, 2240 Shelter Island Dr Suite 200, San Diego, CA 92106, United States.
| | - Nicholas M Kellar
- Marine Mammal and Turtle Division, Southwest Fisheries Science Center, National Marine Fisheries Service, NOAA, 8901 La Jolla Shores Dr, La Jolla, CA 92037, United States
| | - Marisa L Trego
- Marine Mammal and Turtle Division, Southwest Fisheries Science Center, National Marine Fisheries Service, NOAA, 8901 La Jolla Shores Dr, La Jolla, CA 92037, United States; Ocean Associates, Inc., 4007 N Abingdon St, Arlington, VA 22207, United States
| | - Brendan Delehanty
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Toronto Scarborough, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Rudy Boonstra
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Toronto Scarborough, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Samuel K Wasser
- Center for Conservation Biology Box 351800, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, United States
| | - Rebecca K Booth
- Center for Conservation Biology Box 351800, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, United States
| | - Daniel E Crocker
- Department of Biology, Sonoma State University. 1801 E. Cotati Ave, Rohnert Park, CA 94928, United States
| | - Dorian S Houser
- National Marine Mammal Foundation, 2240 Shelter Island Dr Suite 200, San Diego, CA 92106, United States
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31
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Adamovicz L, Leister K, Byrd J, Phillips CA, Allender MC. Venous blood gas in free-living eastern box turtles ( Terrapene carolina carolina) and effects of physiologic, demographic and environmental factors. CONSERVATION PHYSIOLOGY 2018; 6:coy041. [PMID: 30087775 PMCID: PMC6059089 DOI: 10.1093/conphys/coy041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2018] [Revised: 06/23/2018] [Accepted: 07/16/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Sustainable wildlife populations depend on healthy individuals, and the approach to determine wellness of individuals is multifaceted. Blood gas analysis serves as a useful adjunctive diagnostic test for health assessment, but it is uncommonly applied to terrestrial reptiles. This study established reference intervals for venous blood gas panels in free-living eastern box turtles (Terrapene carolina carolina, N = 102) from Illinois and Tennessee, and modeled the effects of environmental and physiologic parameters on each blood gas analyte. Blood gas panels included pH, partial pressure of oxygen (pO2), partial pressure of carbon dioxide (pCO2), total carbon dioxide (TCO2), bicarbonate (HCO3-), base excess (BE) and lactate. Candidate sets of general linear models were constructed for each blood gas analyte and ranked using an information-theoretic approach (AIC). Season, packed cell volume (PCV) and activity level were the most important predictors for all blood gas analytes (P < 0.05). Elevations in PCV were associated with increases in pCO2 and lactate, and decreases in pH, pO2, HCO3-, TCO2 and BE. Turtles with quiet activity levels had lower pH and pO2 and higher pCO2 than bright individuals. pH, HCO3-, TCO2 and BE were lowest in the summer, while pCO2 and lactate were highest. Overall, blood pH was most acidic in quiet turtles with elevated PCVs during summer. Trends in the respiratory and metabolic components of the blood gas panel tended to be synergistic rather than antagonistic, demonstrating that either (1) mixed acid-base disturbances are common or (2) chelonian blood pH can reach extreme values prior to activation of compensatory mechanisms. This study shows that box turtle blood gas analytes depend on several physiologic and environmental parameters and the results serve as a baseline for future evaluation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Adamovicz
- Wildlife Epidemiology Lab, Department of Veterinary Clinical Medicine 2001 S. Lincoln Ave., Urbana, IL 61802, USA
| | - Katie Leister
- Wildlife Epidemiology Lab, Department of Veterinary Clinical Medicine 2001 S. Lincoln Ave., Urbana, IL 61802, USA
| | - John Byrd
- Clinch River Environmental Studies Organization Oak Ridge, TN, USA
| | - Christopher A Phillips
- Illinois Natural History Survey, Prairie Research Institute, 1816 S. Oak St., Champaign, IL 61820, USA
| | - Matthew C Allender
- Wildlife Epidemiology Lab, Department of Veterinary Clinical Medicine 2001 S. Lincoln Ave., Urbana, IL 61802, USA
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Lennox RJ, Suski CD, Cooke SJ. A macrophysiology approach to watershed science and management. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2018; 626:434-440. [PMID: 29353786 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2018.01.069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2017] [Revised: 01/07/2018] [Accepted: 01/08/2018] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Freshwaters are among the most imperiled ecosystems on the planet such that much effort is expended on environmental monitoring to support the management of these systems. Many traditional monitoring efforts focus on abiotic characterization of water quantity or quality and/or indices of biotic integrity that focus on higher scale population or community level metrics such as abundance or diversity. However, these indicators may take time to manifest in degraded systems and delay the identification and restoration of these systems. Physiological indicators manifest rapidly and portend oncoming changes in populations that can hasten restoration and facilitate preventative medicine for degraded habitats. Therefore, assessing freshwater ecosystem integrity using physiological indicators of health is a promising tool to improve freshwater monitoring and restoration. Here, we discuss the value of using comparative, longitudinal physiological data collected at a broad spatial (i.e. watershed) scale (i.e. macrophysiology) as a tool for monitoring aquatic ecosystem health within and among local watersheds to develop timely and effective management plans. There are emerging tools and techniques available for rapid, cost-effective, and non-lethal physiological sampling and we discuss how these can be integrated into management using fish as sentinel indicators in freshwater. Although many examples of this approach are relatively recent, we foresee increasing use of macrophysiology in monitoring, and advocate for the development of more standard tools for consistent and reliable assessment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert J Lennox
- Fish Ecology and Conservation Physiology Laboratory, Department of Biology, Carleton University, Ottawa, Ontario K1S 5B6, Canada.
| | - Cory D Suski
- Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences, University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana, United States
| | - Steven J Cooke
- Fish Ecology and Conservation Physiology Laboratory, Department of Biology, Carleton University, Ottawa, Ontario K1S 5B6, Canada
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Caro T, Stoddard MC, Stuart-Fox D. Animal coloration research: why it matters. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 2018; 372:rstb.2016.0333. [PMID: 28533451 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2016.0333] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/10/2017] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
While basic research on animal coloration is the theme of this special edition, here we highlight its applied significance for industry, innovation and society. Both the nanophotonic structures producing stunning optical effects and the colour perception mechanisms in animals are extremely diverse, having been honed over millions of years of evolution for many different purposes. Consequently, there is a wealth of opportunity for biomimetic and bioinspired applications of animal coloration research, spanning colour production, perception and function. Fundamental research on the production and perception of animal coloration is contributing to breakthroughs in the design of new materials (cosmetics, textiles, paints, optical coatings, security labels) and new technologies (cameras, sensors, optical devices, robots, biomedical implants). In addition, discoveries about the function of animal colour are influencing sport, fashion, the military and conservation. Understanding and applying knowledge of animal coloration is now a multidisciplinary exercise. Our goal here is to provide a catalyst for new ideas and collaborations between biologists studying animal coloration and researchers in other disciplines.This article is part of the themed issue 'Animal coloration: production, perception, function and application'.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tim Caro
- Department of Wildlife, Fish and Conservation Biology and Center for Population Biology, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - Mary Caswell Stoddard
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, USA
| | - Devi Stuart-Fox
- School of BioSciences, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
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Walls SC. Coping With Constraints: Achieving Effective Conservation With Limited Resources. Front Ecol Evol 2018. [DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2018.00024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
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Lafferty DJR, Kumar AV, Whitcher S, Hackländer K, Mills LS. Within-sample variation in snowshoe hare faecal glucocorticoid metabolite measurements. CONSERVATION PHYSIOLOGY 2017; 5:cox068. [PMID: 29250332 PMCID: PMC5721371 DOI: 10.1093/conphys/cox068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2017] [Revised: 10/31/2017] [Accepted: 11/17/2017] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
Faecal glucocorticoid metabolite (FGM) concentrations are used increasingly as a non-invasive measure to index physiological stress experienced by diverse taxa. However, FGM may not be evenly distributed throughout a faecal mass or faecal pellet group. Moreover, within-sample variation in FGM measurements associated with different sampling and/or processing techniques is rarely reported despite potentially having important implications for inferring stress levels in free-ranging wildlife. Using a captive collection of snowshoe hares (Lepus americanus), we (i) assessed repeatability of FGM measurements (i.e. precision) from two processing techniques (measurements derived from dividing whole pellet groups into equal proportions prior to processing [G1], measurements from subsamples derived from thoroughly homogenized whole pellet groups [G2]) and (ii) conducted a power analysis to estimate sample-size requirements for detecting statistically significant differences in FGM concentrations at a population level. Our results indicate that the mean percent coefficient of variation (%CV) for within-sample FGM variation was slightly higher for G1 (%CV = 35, range 13.45-65.37) than for G2 (%CV = 23, range 7.26-47.94), though not statistically significant (two sample t-test, n = 8, t = 1.57, P = 0.16). Thus, FGM is relatively evenly distributed within snowshoe hare faecal pellet groups. However, subsampling from homogenized whole pellet groups may be more appropriate when the sampling time frame is less controlled (e.g. multiple defecation events) because a subsample derived from a homogenized whole pellet group might be more representative of the animal's 'average' physiological state compared to FGM concentrations derived from a few haphazardly selected faecal pellets. Power analysis results demonstrated the importance of a priori consideration of sample sizes. Relatively small effect sizes (e.g. <20%) may require sampling that is logistically and/or cost prohibitive. Yet for many situations of ecological or conservation interest, treatment effects may be substantial (>25%) and thus moderate sample sizes may be sufficient for testing research hypotheses regarding changes FGM concentrations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diana J R Lafferty
- Fisheries, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology Program, Department of Forestry and Environmental Resources, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695, USA
- Wildlife Biology Program, University of Montana, Missoula, MT 59812, USA
- Department of Biology, Northern Michigan University, Marquette, MI 49855, USA
| | - Alexander V Kumar
- Fisheries, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology Program, Department of Forestry and Environmental Resources, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695, USA
- Wildlife Biology Program, University of Montana, Missoula, MT 59812, USA
| | - Sarah Whitcher
- Fisheries, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology Program, Department of Forestry and Environmental Resources, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695, USA
| | - Klaus Hackländer
- Institute of Wildlife Biology and Game Management, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna (BOKU), Gregor-Mendel-Str. 33, 1180 Vienna, Austria
| | - L Scott Mills
- Fisheries, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology Program, Department of Forestry and Environmental Resources, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695, USA
- Wildlife Biology Program, University of Montana, Missoula, MT 59812, USA
- Office of Research and Creative Scholarship, University of Montana, Missoula, MT 59812, USA
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Dupoué A, Rutschmann A, Le Galliard JF, Clobert J, Angelier F, Marciau C, Ruault S, Miles D, Meylan S. Shorter telomeres precede population extinction in wild lizards. Sci Rep 2017; 7:16976. [PMID: 29209027 PMCID: PMC5717062 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-17323-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2017] [Accepted: 11/24/2017] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Identifying the early warning signals of catastrophic extinctions has recently become a central focus for ecologists, but species’ functional responses to environmental changes remain an untapped source for the sharpening of such warning signals. Telomere length (TL) analysis represents a promising molecular tool with which to raise the alarm regarding early population decline, since telomere attrition is associated with aging processes and accelerates after a recurrent exposure to environmental stressors. In the southern margin of their range, populations of the common lizard (Zootoca vivipara) recently became extinct at lowest elevations due to changes in climate conditions. However, the proximal signals involved in these demographic declines are still unknown. Here, we sampled 100 yearling lizards from 10 natural populations (n = 10 per population) along an extinction risk gradient. Relative lizard abundance dramatically dropped over 12 years in low-altitude populations characterized by warmer ambient temperatures and higher body growth of lizards early in life. A non-linear relationship was found between TL and population extinction risk, with shorter telomeres in populations facing high risk of extinction when compared to non-threatened ones. Our results identify TL as a promising biomarker and imply that population extinctions might be preceded by a loop of physiological aging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andréaz Dupoué
- CNRS UPMC, UMR 7618, iEES Paris, Université Pierre et Marie Curie, 4 place Jussieu, 75005, Paris, France.
| | - Alexis Rutschmann
- Station d'Ecologie Théorique et Expérimentale du CNRS à Moulis, UMR 5321, 09200, Saint Girons, France.,School of Biological Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Jean François Le Galliard
- CNRS UPMC, UMR 7618, iEES Paris, Université Pierre et Marie Curie, 4 place Jussieu, 75005, Paris, France.,Ecole Normale Supérieure, PSL Research University, CNRS, Centre de recherche en écologie expérimentale et prédictive (CEREEP-Ecotron IleDeFrance), UMS 3194, 78 rue du château, 77140, Saint-Pierre-lès-Nemours, France
| | - Jean Clobert
- Station d'Ecologie Théorique et Expérimentale du CNRS à Moulis, UMR 5321, 09200, Saint Girons, France
| | - Frédéric Angelier
- CNRS CEBC-ULR, UMR 7672, Villiers en Bois, 79360, Beauvoir sur Niort, France
| | - Coline Marciau
- CNRS UPMC, UMR 7618, iEES Paris, Université Pierre et Marie Curie, 4 place Jussieu, 75005, Paris, France
| | - Stéphanie Ruault
- CNRS CEBC-ULR, UMR 7672, Villiers en Bois, 79360, Beauvoir sur Niort, France
| | - Donald Miles
- Department of Biological Sciences, Ohio University, Athens, OH, 45701, USA
| | - Sandrine Meylan
- CNRS UPMC, UMR 7618, iEES Paris, Université Pierre et Marie Curie, 4 place Jussieu, 75005, Paris, France.,ESPE de Paris, Université Sorbonne Paris IV, 10 rue Molitor, 75016, Paris, France
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37
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Lea JMD, Walker SL, Kerley GIH, Jackson J, Matevich SC, Shultz S. Non‐invasive physiological markers demonstrate link between habitat quality, adult sex ratio and poor population growth rate in a vulnerable species, the Cape mountain zebra. Funct Ecol 2017. [DOI: 10.1111/1365-2435.13000] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Jessica M. D. Lea
- School of Earth and Environmental SciencesUniversity of Manchester Manchester UK
- North of England Zoological SocietyChester Zoo Upton‐by‐Chester UK
| | - Susan L. Walker
- North of England Zoological SocietyChester Zoo Upton‐by‐Chester UK
| | - Graham I. H. Kerley
- Centre for African Conservation EcologyNelson Mandela University Port Elizabeth South Africa
| | - John Jackson
- Department of Animal and Plant SciencesUniversity of Sheffield Sheffield UK
| | | | - Susanne Shultz
- School of Earth and Environmental SciencesUniversity of Manchester Manchester UK
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Yarnell K, Walker SL. Environmental Impact on Faecal Glucocorticoid Metabolite Concentrations in Grevy's Zebra (Equus grevyi). AFRICAN JOURNAL OF WILDLIFE RESEARCH 2017. [DOI: 10.3957/056.047.0138] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/01/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Kelly Yarnell
- School of Animal, Rural and Environmental Science, Nottingham Trent University, Southwell, Nottingham, United Kingdom, NG25 0QF
| | - Susan L. Walker
- North of England Zoological Society, Chester Zoo, Caughall Road, Upton-by-Chester, United Kingdom, CH2 1LH
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Cooke SJ, Birnie-Gauvin K, Lennox RJ, Taylor JJ, Rytwinski T, Rummer JL, Franklin CE, Bennett JR, Haddaway NR. How experimental biology and ecology can support evidence-based decision-making in conservation: avoiding pitfalls and enabling application. CONSERVATION PHYSIOLOGY 2017; 5:cox043. [PMID: 28835842 PMCID: PMC5550808 DOI: 10.1093/conphys/cox043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2016] [Revised: 06/21/2017] [Accepted: 07/15/2017] [Indexed: 05/14/2023]
Abstract
Policy development and management decisions should be based upon the best available evidence. In recent years, approaches to evidence synthesis, originating in the medical realm (such as systematic reviews), have been applied to conservation to promote evidence-based conservation and environmental management. Systematic reviews involve a critical appraisal of evidence, but studies that lack the necessary rigour (e.g. experimental, technical and analytical aspects) to justify their conclusions are typically excluded from systematic reviews or down-weighted in terms of their influence. One of the strengths of conservation physiology is the reliance on experimental approaches that help to more clearly establish cause-and-effect relationships. Indeed, experimental biology and ecology have much to offer in terms of building the evidence base that is needed to inform policy and management options related to pressing issues such as enacting endangered species recovery plans or evaluating the effectiveness of conservation interventions. Here, we identify a number of pitfalls that can prevent experimental findings from being relevant to conservation or would lead to their exclusion or down-weighting during critical appraisal in a systematic review. We conclude that conservation physiology is well positioned to support evidence-based conservation, provided that experimental designs are robust and that conservation physiologists understand the nuances associated with informing decision-making processes so that they can be more relevant.
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Affiliation(s)
- Steven J. Cooke
- Canadian Centre for Evidence-Based Conservation and Environmental Management, Department of Biology and Institute of Environmental Science, Carleton University, 1125 Colonel By Drive, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada K1S 5B6
- Fish Ecology and Conservation Physiology Laboratory, Department of Biology, Carleton University, 1125 Colonel By Drive, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada K1S 5B6
| | - Kim Birnie-Gauvin
- Canadian Centre for Evidence-Based Conservation and Environmental Management, Department of Biology and Institute of Environmental Science, Carleton University, 1125 Colonel By Drive, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada K1S 5B6
- Fish Ecology and Conservation Physiology Laboratory, Department of Biology, Carleton University, 1125 Colonel By Drive, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada K1S 5B6
| | - Robert J. Lennox
- Fish Ecology and Conservation Physiology Laboratory, Department of Biology, Carleton University, 1125 Colonel By Drive, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada K1S 5B6
| | - Jessica J. Taylor
- Canadian Centre for Evidence-Based Conservation and Environmental Management, Department of Biology and Institute of Environmental Science, Carleton University, 1125 Colonel By Drive, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada K1S 5B6
- Fish Ecology and Conservation Physiology Laboratory, Department of Biology, Carleton University, 1125 Colonel By Drive, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada K1S 5B6
| | - Trina Rytwinski
- Canadian Centre for Evidence-Based Conservation and Environmental Management, Department of Biology and Institute of Environmental Science, Carleton University, 1125 Colonel By Drive, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada K1S 5B6
- Fish Ecology and Conservation Physiology Laboratory, Department of Biology, Carleton University, 1125 Colonel By Drive, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada K1S 5B6
| | - Jodie L. Rummer
- Australian Research Council (ARC) Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD 4811, Australia
| | - Craig E. Franklin
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Joseph R. Bennett
- Canadian Centre for Evidence-Based Conservation and Environmental Management, Department of Biology and Institute of Environmental Science, Carleton University, 1125 Colonel By Drive, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada K1S 5B6
| | - Neal R. Haddaway
- EviEM, Stockholm Environment Institute, Box 24218, 10451 Stockholm, Sweden
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Drake KK, Bowen L, Lewison RL, Esque TC, Nussear KE, Braun J, Waters SC, Miles AK. Coupling gene-based and classic veterinary diagnostics improves interpretation of health and immune function in the Agassiz's desert tortoise ( Gopherus agassizii). CONSERVATION PHYSIOLOGY 2017; 5:cox037. [PMID: 28835840 PMCID: PMC5550616 DOI: 10.1093/conphys/cox037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2017] [Revised: 05/22/2017] [Accepted: 06/02/2017] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
The analysis of blood constituents is a widely used tool to aid in monitoring of animal health and disease. However, classic blood diagnostics (i.e. hematologic and plasma biochemical values) often do not provide sufficient information to determine the state of an animal's health. Field studies on wild tortoises and other reptiles have had limited success in drawing significant inferences between blood diagnostics and physiological and immunological condition. However, recent research using gene transcription profiling in the threatened Mojave desert tortoise (Gopherus agassizii) has proved useful in identifying immune or physiologic responses and overall health. To improve our understanding of health and immune function in tortoises, we evaluated both standard blood diagnostic (body condition, hematologic, plasma biochemistry values, trace elements, plasma proteins, vitamin A levels) and gene transcription profiles in 21 adult tortoises (11 clinically abnormal; 10 clinically normal) from Clark County, NV, USA. Necropsy and histology evaluations from clinically abnormal tortoises revealed multiple physiological complications, with moderate to severe rhinitis or pneumonia being the primary cause of morbidity in all but one of the examined animals. Clinically abnormal tortoises had increased transcription for four genes (SOD, MyD88, CL and Lep), increased lymphocyte production, biochemical enzymes and organics, trace elements of copper, and decreased numbers of leukocytes. We found significant positive correlations between increased transcription for SOD and increased trace elements for copper, as well as genes MyD88 and Lep with increased inflammation and microbial insults. Improved methods for health assessments are an important element of monitoring tortoise population recovery and can support the development of more robust diagnostic measures for ill animals, or individuals directly impacted by disturbance.
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Affiliation(s)
- K. Kristina Drake
- US Geological Survey, Western Ecological Research Center, Las Vegas Field Station, 160 N. Stephanie Street, Henderson, NV 89074, USA
- Department of Biology, San Diego State University, 5500 Campanile Drive, San Diego, CA 92182, USA
- Graduate Group in Ecology, University of California, Davis, One Shields Avenue, Davis, CA 95618, USA
| | - Lizabeth Bowen
- US Geological Survey, Western Ecological Research Center, Davis Field Station, One Shields Avenue, University of California, Davis, CA 95618, USA
| | - Rebecca L. Lewison
- Department of Biology, San Diego State University, 5500 Campanile Drive, San Diego, CA 92182, USA
| | - Todd C. Esque
- US Geological Survey, Western Ecological Research Center, Las Vegas Field Station, 160 N. Stephanie Street, Henderson, NV 89074, USA
| | - Kenneth E. Nussear
- Department of Geography, University of Nevada-Reno, 1664 N. Virginia Street, Reno, NV 89557, USA
| | - Josephine Braun
- Wildlife Disease Laboratories, Institute for Conservation Research, San Diego Zoo Global, PO Box 120551, San Diego, CA 92112, USA
| | - Shannon C. Waters
- US Geological Survey, Western Ecological Research Center, Davis Field Station, One Shields Avenue, University of California, Davis, CA 95618, USA
| | - A. Keith Miles
- US Geological Survey, Western Ecological Research Center, Las Vegas Field Station, 160 N. Stephanie Street, Henderson, NV 89074, USA
- Graduate Group in Ecology, University of California, Davis, One Shields Avenue, Davis, CA 95618, USA
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41
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Illing B, Rummer JL. Physiology can contribute to better understanding, management, and conservation of coral reef fishes. CONSERVATION PHYSIOLOGY 2017; 5:cox005. [PMID: 28852508 PMCID: PMC5570121 DOI: 10.1093/conphys/cox005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2016] [Revised: 12/27/2016] [Accepted: 01/31/2017] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
Coral reef fishes, like many other marine organisms, are affected by anthropogenic stressors such as fishing and pollution and, owing to climate change, are experiencing increasing water temperatures and ocean acidification. Against the backdrop of these various stressors, a mechanistic understanding of processes governing individual organismal performance is the first step for identifying drivers of coral reef fish population dynamics. In fact, physiological measurements can help to reveal potential cause-and-effect relationships and enable physiologists to advise conservation management by upscaling results from cellular and individual organismal levels to population levels. Here, we highlight studies that include physiological measurements of coral reef fishes and those that give advice for their conservation. A literature search using combined physiological, conservation and coral reef fish key words resulted in ~1900 studies, of which only 99 matched predefined requirements. We observed that, over the last 20 years, the combination of physiological and conservation aspects in studies on coral reef fishes has received increased attention. Most of the selected studies made their physiological observations at the whole organism level and used their findings to give conservation advice on population dynamics, habitat use or the potential effects of climate change. The precision of the recommendations differed greatly and, not surprisingly, was least concrete when studies examined the effects of projected climate change scenarios. Although more and more physiological studies on coral reef fishes include conservation aspects, there is still a lack of concrete advice for conservation managers, with only very few published examples of physiological findings leading to improved management practices. We conclude with a call to action to foster better knowledge exchange between natural scientists and conservation managers to translate physiological findings more effectively in order to obtain evidence-based and adaptive management strategies for the conservation of coral reef fishes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Björn Illing
- Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD 4811, Australia
- Institute of Hydrobiology and Fisheries Science, University of Hamburg, Hamburg D-22767, Germany
| | - Jodie L. Rummer
- Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD 4811, Australia
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42
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Brunner JL, Beaty L, Guitard A, Russell D. Heterogeneities in the infection process drive ranavirus transmission. Ecology 2017; 98:576-582. [PMID: 27859036 DOI: 10.1002/ecy.1644] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2016] [Revised: 09/16/2016] [Accepted: 10/24/2016] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Transmission is central to our understanding and efforts to control the spread of infectious diseases. Because transmission generally requires close contact, host movements and behaviors can shape transmission dynamics: random and complete mixing leads to the classic density-dependent model, but if hosts primarily interact locally (e.g., aggregate) or within groups, transmission may saturate. Manipulating host behavior may thus change both the rate and functional form of transmission. We used the ranavirus-wood frog (Lithobates sylvaticus) tadpole system to test whether transmission rates reflect contacts, and whether the functional form of transmission can be influenced by the distribution of food in mesocosms (widely dispersed, promoting random movement and mixing vs. a central pile, promoting aggregations). Contact rates increased with density, as expected, but transmission rapidly saturated. Observed rates of transmission were not explained by observed contact rates or the density-dependent model, but instead transmission in both treatments followed models allowing for heterogeneities in the transmission process. We argue that contacts were not generally limiting, but instead that our results are better explained by heterogeneities in host susceptibility. Moreover, manipulating host behavior to manage the spread of infectious disease may prove difficult to implement.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jesse L Brunner
- School of Biological Sciences, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington, 99164, USA.,Department of Environmental and Forest Biology, SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry, Syracuse, New York, 13210, USA
| | - Lynne Beaty
- Department of Environmental and Forest Biology, SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry, Syracuse, New York, 13210, USA.,Department of Integrative Biology, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, Oklahoma, 74078, USA
| | - Alexandra Guitard
- Department of Environmental and Forest Biology, SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry, Syracuse, New York, 13210, USA
| | - Deanna Russell
- Department of Environmental and Forest Biology, SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry, Syracuse, New York, 13210, USA
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43
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Madliger CL, Franklin CE, Hultine KR, van Kleunen M, Lennox RJ, Love OP, Rummer JL, Cooke SJ. Conservation physiology and the quest for a 'good' Anthropocene. CONSERVATION PHYSIOLOGY 2017; 5:cox003. [PMID: 28852507 PMCID: PMC5570019 DOI: 10.1093/conphys/cox003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2016] [Revised: 12/31/2016] [Accepted: 01/06/2017] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
It has been proposed that we are now living in a new geological epoch known as the Anthropocene, which is specifically defined by the impacts that humans are having on the Earth's biological diversity and geology. Although the proposal of this term was borne out of an acknowledgement of the negative changes we are imparting on the globe (e.g. climate change, pollution, coastal erosion, species extinctions), there has recently been action amongst a variety of disciplines aimed at achieving a 'good Anthropocene' that strives to balance societal needs and the preservation of the natural world. Here, we outline ways that the discipline of conservation physiology can help to delineate a hopeful, progressive and productive path for conservation in the Anthropocene and, specifically, achieve that vision. We focus on four primary ways that conservation physiology can contribute, as follows: (i) building a proactive approach to conservation; (ii) encouraging a pragmatic perspective; (iii) establishing an appreciation for environmental resilience; and (iv) informing and engaging the public and political arenas. As a collection of passionate individuals combining theory, technological advances, public engagement and a dedication to achieving conservation success, conservation physiologists are poised to make meaningful contributions to the productive, motivational and positive way forward that is necessary to curb and reverse negative human impact on the environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christine L. Madliger
- Fish Ecology and Conservation Physiology Laboratory, Department of Biology and Institute of Environmental Science, Carleton University, 1125 Colonel By Drive, Ottawa, ON, CanadaK1S 5B6
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Windsor, 401 Sunset Avenue, ON, CanadaN9B 3P4
- Corresponding author: Department of Biological Sciences, University of Windsor, 401 Sunset Avenue, Windsor, ON, Canada N9B 3P4. Tel: +1 519 253 3000 ×2701.
| | - Craig E. Franklin
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD4072, Australia
| | - Kevin R. Hultine
- Department of Research, Conservation and Collections, Desert Botanical Garden, 1201 North Galvin Parkway, Phoenix, AZ85008, USA
| | - Mark van Kleunen
- Ecology, Department of Biology, University of Konstanz, Universitätsstrasse 10, D 78457 Konstanz, Germany
| | - Robert J. Lennox
- Fish Ecology and Conservation Physiology Laboratory, Department of Biology and Institute of Environmental Science, Carleton University, 1125 Colonel By Drive, Ottawa, ON, CanadaK1S 5B6
| | - Oliver P. Love
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Windsor, 401 Sunset Avenue, ON, CanadaN9B 3P4
| | - Jodie L. Rummer
- ARC Centre for Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD4811, Australia
| | - Steven J. Cooke
- Fish Ecology and Conservation Physiology Laboratory, Department of Biology and Institute of Environmental Science, Carleton University, 1125 Colonel By Drive, Ottawa, ON, CanadaK1S 5B6
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Cooke SJ, Hultine KR, Rummer JL, Franklin CE. Reflections and progress in conservation physiology. CONSERVATION PHYSIOLOGY 2017; 5:cow071. [PMID: 28070332 PMCID: PMC5215126 DOI: 10.1093/conphys/cow071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2016] [Accepted: 11/29/2016] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Steven J. Cooke
- Fish Ecology and Conservation Physiology Laboratory, Department of Biology and Institute of Environmental Science, Carleton University, 1125 Colonel By Drive, Ottawa, ON,CanadaK1S 5B6
- Corresponding author:Fish Ecology and Conservation Physiology Laboratory, Department of Biology and Institute of Environmental Science, Carleton University, 1125 Colonel By Drive, Ottawa, ON, CanadaK1S 5B6. Tel: +1 613 867 6711.
| | - Kevin R. Hultine
- Department of Research, Conservation and Collections, Desert Botanical Garden, 1201 North Galvin Parkway, Phoenix, AZ 85008, USA
| | - Jodie L. Rummer
- ARC Centre for Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD 4811, Australia
| | - Craig E. Franklin
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
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Siefkes MJ. Use of physiological knowledge to control the invasive sea lamprey ( Petromyzon marinus) in the Laurentian Great Lakes. CONSERVATION PHYSIOLOGY 2017; 5:cox031. [PMID: 28580146 PMCID: PMC5448140 DOI: 10.1093/conphys/cox031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2016] [Revised: 04/21/2017] [Accepted: 05/17/2017] [Indexed: 05/14/2023]
Abstract
Sea lamprey (Petromyzon marinus) control in the Laurentian Great Lakes of North America is an example of using physiological knowledge to successfully control an invasive species and rehabilitate an ecosystem and valuable fishery. The parasitic sea lamprey contributed to the devastating collapse of native fish communities after invading the Great Lakes during the 1800s and early 1900s. Economic tragedy ensued with the loss of the fishery and severe impacts to property values and tourism resulting from sea lamprey-induced ecological changes. To control the sea lamprey and rehabilitate the once vibrant Great Lakes ecosystem and economy, the Great Lakes Fishery Commission (Commission) was formed by treaty between Canada and the United States in 1955. The Commission has developed a sea lamprey control programme based on their physiological vulnerabilities, which includes (i) the application of selective pesticides (lampricides), which successfully kill sedentary sea lamprey larvae in their natal streams; (ii) barriers to spawning migrations and associated traps to prevent infestations of upstream habitats and remove adult sea lamprey before they reproduce; and (iii) the release of sterilized males to reduce the reproductive potential of spawning populations in select streams. Since 1958, the application of the sea lamprey control programme has suppressed sea lamprey populations by ~90% from peak abundance. Great Lakes fish populations have rebounded and the economy is now thriving. In hopes of further enhancing the efficacy and selectivity of the sea lamprey control programme, the Commission is exploring the use of (i) sea lamprey chemosensory cues (pheromones and alarm cues) to manipulate behaviours and physiologies, and (ii) genetics to identify and manipulate genes associated with key physiological functions, for control purposes. Overall, the Commission capitalizes on the unique physiology of the sea lamprey and strives to develop a diverse integrated programme to successfully control a once devastating invasive species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael J. Siefkes
- Great Lakes Fishery Commission, 2100 Commonwealth Blvd., Suite 100, Ann Arbor, MI 48105, USA
- Corresponding author: Great Lakes Fishery Commission, 2100 Commonwealth Blvd., Suite 100, Ann Arbor, MI 48105, USA. Tel: +1 7346693013; Fax: +1 7347412010;
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Madliger CL, Love OP. Conservation implications of a lack of relationship between baseline glucocorticoids and fitness in a wild passerine. ECOLOGICAL APPLICATIONS : A PUBLICATION OF THE ECOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA 2016; 26:2730-2743. [PMID: 27763712 DOI: 10.1002/eap.1401] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2016] [Revised: 06/09/2016] [Accepted: 07/13/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
The application of physiological measures to conservation monitoring has been gaining momentum and, while a suite of physiological traits are available to ascertain disturbance and condition in wildlife populations, glucocorticoids (i.e., GCs; cortisol and corticosterone) are the most heavily employed. The interpretation of GC levels as sensitive indicators of population change necessitates that GCs and metrics of population persistence are linked. However, the relationship between GCs and fitness may be highly context-dependent, changing direction, or significance, depending on the GC measure, fitness metric, life history stage, or other intrinsic and extrinsic contexts considered. We examined the relationship between baseline plasma corticosterone (CORT) levels measured at two periods of the breeding season and three metrics of fitness (offspring quality, reproductive output, and adult survival) in female Tree Swallows (Tachycineta bicolor). Specifically, we investigated whether (1) a relationship between baseline CORT metrics and fitness exists in our population, (2) whether the inclusion of energetic contexts, such as food availability, reproductive investment, or body mass, could alter or improve the strength of the relationship between CORT and fitness, and (3) whether energetic contexts could better predict fitness compared to CORT metrics. Importantly, we investigated these relationships in both natural conditions and under an experimental manipulation of foraging profitability (feather clipping) to determine the influence of an environmental constraint on GC-fitness relationships. We found a lack of relationship between baseline CORT and both short- and long-term metrics of fitness in control and clipped birds. In contrast, loss in body mass over reproduction positively predicted reproductive output (number of chicks leaving the nest) in control birds; however, the relationship was characterized by a low R2 (5%), limiting the predictive capacity, and therefore the application potential, of such a measure in a conservation setting. Our results stress the importance of ground-truthing GC-fitness relationships and indicate that baseline GCs will likely not be easily employed as conservation biomarkers across some species and life history stages. Given the accumulating evidence of temporally dynamic, inconsistent, and context-dependent GC-fitness relationships, placing effort towards directly measuring fitness traits, rather than plasma GC levels, will likely be more worthwhile for many conservation endeavours.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christine L Madliger
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Windsor, 401 Sunset Avenue, Windsor, Ontario, N9B 3P4, Canada
| | - Oliver P Love
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Windsor, 401 Sunset Avenue, Windsor, Ontario, N9B 3P4, Canada
- Great Lakes Institute for Environmental Research, University of Windsor, 401 Sunset Avenue, Windsor, Ontario, N9B 3P4, Canada
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Sorenson GH, Dey CJ, Madliger CL, Love OP. Effectiveness of baseline corticosterone as a monitoring tool for fitness: a meta-analysis in seabirds. Oecologia 2016; 183:353-365. [DOI: 10.1007/s00442-016-3774-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2016] [Accepted: 11/08/2016] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
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McKenzie DJ, Axelsson M, Chabot D, Claireaux G, Cooke SJ, Corner RA, De Boeck G, Domenici P, Guerreiro PM, Hamer B, Jørgensen C, Killen SS, Lefevre S, Marras S, Michaelidis B, Nilsson GE, Peck MA, Perez-Ruzafa A, Rijnsdorp AD, Shiels HA, Steffensen JF, Svendsen JC, Svendsen MBS, Teal LR, van der Meer J, Wang T, Wilson JM, Wilson RW, Metcalfe JD. Conservation physiology of marine fishes: state of the art and prospects for policy. CONSERVATION PHYSIOLOGY 2016; 4:cow046. [PMID: 27766156 PMCID: PMC5070530 DOI: 10.1093/conphys/cow046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2016] [Revised: 08/17/2016] [Accepted: 09/13/2016] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
The state of the art of research on the environmental physiology of marine fishes is reviewed from the perspective of how it can contribute to conservation of biodiversity and fishery resources. A major constraint to application of physiological knowledge for conservation of marine fishes is the limited knowledge base; international collaboration is needed to study the environmental physiology of a wider range of species. Multifactorial field and laboratory studies on biomarkers hold promise to relate ecophysiology directly to habitat quality and population status. The 'Fry paradigm' could have broad applications for conservation physiology research if it provides a universal mechanism to link physiological function with ecological performance and population dynamics of fishes, through effects of abiotic conditions on aerobic metabolic scope. The available data indicate, however, that the paradigm is not universal, so further research is required on a wide diversity of species. Fish physiologists should interact closely with researchers developing ecological models, in order to investigate how integrating physiological information improves confidence in projecting effects of global change; for example, with mechanistic models that define habitat suitability based upon potential for aerobic scope or outputs of a dynamic energy budget. One major challenge to upscaling from physiology of individuals to the level of species and communities is incorporating intraspecific variation, which could be a crucial component of species' resilience to global change. Understanding what fishes do in the wild is also a challenge, but techniques of biotelemetry and biologging are providing novel information towards effective conservation. Overall, fish physiologists must strive to render research outputs more applicable to management and decision-making. There are various potential avenues for information flow, in the shorter term directly through biomarker studies and in the longer term by collaborating with modellers and fishery biologists.
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Affiliation(s)
- David J. McKenzie
- Centre for Marine Biodiversity Exploitation and Conservation, UMR MARBEC (CNRS, IRD, IFREMER, UM), Place E. Bataillon cc 093, 34095 Montpellier, France
| | - Michael Axelsson
- Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Gothenburg, Medicinaregatan 18, 413 90 Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Denis Chabot
- Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Institut Maurice-Lamontagne, Mont-Joli, QC, CanadaG5H 3Z4
| | - Guy Claireaux
- Université de Bretagne Occidentale, UMR LEMAR, Unité PFOM-ARN, Centre Ifremer de Bretagne, ZI Pointe du Diable. CS 10070, 29280 Plouzané, France
| | - Steven J. Cooke
- Fish Ecology and Conservation Physiology Laboratory, Department of Biology, Carleton University, Ottawa, ON, CanadaK1S 5B6
| | | | - Gudrun De Boeck
- Systemic Physiological and Ecotoxicological Research (SPHERE), Department of Biology, University of Antwerp, Groenenborgerlaan 171, B-2020 Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Paolo Domenici
- CNR–IAMC, Istituto per l'Ambiente Marino Costiero, 09072 Torregrande, Oristano, Italy
| | - Pedro M. Guerreiro
- CCMAR – Centre for Marine Sciences, Universidade do Algarve, 8005-139 Faro, Portugal
| | - Bojan Hamer
- Center for Marine Research, Ruder Boskovic Institute, Giordano Paliaga 5, 52210 Rovinj, Croatia
| | - Christian Jørgensen
- Department of Biology and Hjort Centre for Marine Ecosystem Dynamics, University of Bergen, 5020 Bergen, Norway
| | - Shaun S. Killen
- Institute of Biodiversity,Animal Health and Comparative Medicine, College of Medical,Veterinary and Life Sciences, Graham Kerr Building, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8QQ, UK
| | - Sjannie Lefevre
- Department of Biosciences, University of Oslo, PO Box 1066,NO-0316 Oslo,Norway
| | - Stefano Marras
- CNR–IAMC, Istituto per l'Ambiente Marino Costiero, 09072 Torregrande, Oristano, Italy
| | - Basile Michaelidis
- Laboratory of Animal Physiology, Department of Zoology, School of Biology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Göran E. Nilsson
- Department of Biosciences, University of Oslo, PO Box 1066,NO-0316 Oslo,Norway
| | - Myron A. Peck
- Institute for Hydrobiology and Fisheries Science, University of Hamburg, Olbersweg 24, Hamburg 22767, Germany
| | - Angel Perez-Ruzafa
- Department of Ecology and Hydrology, Faculty of Biology, Espinardo, Regional Campus of International Excellence ‘Campus Mare Nostrum’, University of Murcia, Murcia, Spain
| | - Adriaan D. Rijnsdorp
- IMARES, Institute for Marine Resources and Ecosystem Studies, PO Box 68, 1970 AB IJmuiden, The Netherlands
| | - Holly A. Shiels
- Core Technology Facility, The University of Manchester, 46 Grafton Street, Manchester M13 9NT, UK
| | - John F. Steffensen
- Marine Biological Section, Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Strandpromenaden 5, DK-3000 Helsingør, Denmark
| | - Jon C. Svendsen
- Section for Ecosystem-based Marine Management, National Institute of Aquatic Resources (DTU-Aqua), Technical University of Denmark, Jægersborg Allé 1, DK-2920 Charlottenlund, Denmark
| | - Morten B. S. Svendsen
- Marine Biological Section, Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Strandpromenaden 5, DK-3000 Helsingør, Denmark
| | - Lorna R. Teal
- IMARES, Institute for Marine Resources and Ecosystem Studies, PO Box 68, 1970 AB IJmuiden, The Netherlands
| | - Jaap van der Meer
- Department of Coastal Systems, NIOZ Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research and Utrecht University, PO Box 59, 1790 AB Den Burg, Texel, The Netherlands
| | - Tobias Wang
- Department of Zoophysiology, Aarhus University, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Jonathan M. Wilson
- Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research (CIIMAR), University of Porto, 4050-123 Porto, Portugal
| | - Rod W. Wilson
- Biosciences, College of Life & Environmental Sciences, University of Exeter, ExeterEX4 4QD, UK
| | - Julian D. Metcalfe
- Centre for Environment,Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (Cefas), Lowestoft Laboratory, Suffolk NR33 0HT, UK
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Madliger CL, Love OP. Employing individual measures of baseline glucocorticoids as population-level conservation biomarkers: considering within-individual variation in a breeding passerine. CONSERVATION PHYSIOLOGY 2016; 4:cow048. [PMID: 27757239 PMCID: PMC5066389 DOI: 10.1093/conphys/cow048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2016] [Revised: 09/13/2016] [Accepted: 09/19/2016] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
Labile physiological variables, such as stress hormones [i.e. glucocorticoids (GCs)], allow individuals to react to perturbations in their environment and may therefore reflect the effect of disturbances or positive conservation initiatives in advance of population-level demographic measures. Although the application of GCs as conservation biomarkers has been of extensive interest, few studies have explicitly investigated whether baseline GC concentrations respond to disturbances consistently across individuals. However, confirmation of consistent responses is of paramount importance to assessing the ease of use of GCs in natural systems and to making valid interpretations regarding population-level change (or lack of change) in GC concentrations. We investigated whether free-ranging female tree swallows (Tachycineta bicolor) display individually specific changes in baseline glucocorticoid concentrations naturally over the breeding season (from incubation to offspring provisioning) and in response to a manipulation of foraging profitability (representing a decrease in access to food resources). We show that baseline GC concentrations are repeatable within individuals over reproduction in natural conditions. However, in response to a reduction in foraging ability, baseline GC concentrations increase at the population level but are not repeatable within individuals, indicating a high level of within-individual variation. Overall, we suggest that baseline GCs measured on a subset of individuals may not provide a representative indication of responses to environmental change at the population level, and multiple within-individual measures may be necessary to determine the fitness correlates of GC concentrations. Further validation should be completed across a variety of taxa and life-history stages. Moving beyond a traditional cross-sectional approach by incorporating repeated-measures methods will be necessary to assess the suitability of baseline GCs as biomarkers of environmental change and population persistence, particularly from a logistical and ease-of-use perspective for conservation managers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christine L Madliger
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Windsor, 401 Sunset Avenue, Windsor, Ontario, Canada N9B 3P4
| | - Oliver P Love
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Windsor, 401 Sunset Avenue, Windsor, Ontario, Canada N9B 3P4
- Great Lakes Institute for Environmental Research, University of Windsor, 401 Sunset Avenue, Windsor, Ontario, Canada N9B 3P4
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50
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Patterson DA, Cooke SJ, Hinch SG, Robinson KA, Young N, Farrell AP, Miller KM. A perspective on physiological studies supporting the provision of scientific advice for the management of Fraser River sockeye salmon ( Oncorhynchus nerka). CONSERVATION PHYSIOLOGY 2016; 4:cow026. [PMID: 27928508 PMCID: PMC5001150 DOI: 10.1093/conphys/cow026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2016] [Revised: 05/30/2016] [Accepted: 06/07/2016] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
The inability of physiologists to effect change in fisheries management has been the source of frustration for many decades. Close collaboration between fisheries managers and researchers has afforded our interdisciplinary team an unusual opportunity to evaluate the emerging impact that physiology can have in providing relevant and credible scientific advice to assist in management decisions. We categorize the quality of scientific advice given to management into five levels based on the type of scientific activity and resulting advice (notions, observations, descriptions, predictions and prescriptions). We argue that, ideally, both managers and researchers have concomitant but separate responsibilities for increasing the level of scientific advice provided. The responsibility of managers involves clear communication of management objectives to researchers, including exact descriptions of knowledge needs and researchable problems. The role of the researcher is to provide scientific advice based on the current state of scientific information and the level of integration with management. The examples of scientific advice discussed herein relate to physiological research on the impact of high discharge and water temperature, pathogens, sex and fisheries interactions on in-river migration success of adult Fraser River sockeye salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka) and the increased understanding and quality of scientific advice that emerges. We submit that success in increasing the quality of scientific advice is a function of political motivation linked to funding, legal clarity in management objectives, collaborative structures in government and academia, personal relationships, access to interdisciplinary experts and scientific peer acceptance. The major challenges with advancing scientific advice include uncertainty in results, lack of integration with management needs and institutional caution in adopting new research. We hope that conservation physiologists can learn from our experiences of providing scientific advice to management to increase the potential for this growing field of research to have a positive influence on resource management.
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Affiliation(s)
- David A. Patterson
- Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Science Branch, Cooperative Resource Management Institute, School of Resource and Environmental Management, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC, Canada V5A 1S6
| | - Steven J. Cooke
- Fish Ecology and Conservation Physiology Laboratory, Department of Biology and Institute of Environmental Science, Carleton University, Ottawa, ON, Canada K1S 5B6
| | - Scott G. Hinch
- Pacific Salmon Ecology and Conservation Laboratory, Department of Forest and Conservation Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada V6T 1Z4
| | - Kendra A. Robinson
- Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Science Branch, Cooperative Resource Management Institute, School of Resource and Environmental Management, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC, Canada V5A 1S6
| | - Nathan Young
- Department of Sociology and Anthropology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada K1N 6N5
| | - Anthony P. Farrell
- Department of Zoology and Faculty of Land and Food Systems, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada V6T 1Z4
| | - Kristina M. Miller
- Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Science Branch, Pacific Biological Station, 3190 Hammond Bay Road, Nanaimo, BC, Canada V9T 6N7
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