Effects of hypoxia and ocean acidification on the upper thermal niche boundaries of coral reef fishes

Ern, Rasmus, Johansen, Jacob, Rummer, Jodie L., and Esbaugh, Andrew J. (2017) Effects of hypoxia and ocean acidification on the upper thermal niche boundaries of coral reef fishes. Biology Letters, 13 (7). 20170135.

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Abstract

Rising ocean temperatures are predicted to cause a poleward shift in the distribution of marine fishes occupying the extent of latitudes tolerable within their thermal range boundaries. A prevailing theory suggests that the upper thermal limits of fishes are constrained by hypoxia and ocean acidification. However, some eurythermal fish species do not conform to this theory, and maintain their upper thermal limits in hypoxia. Here we determine if the same is true for stenothermal species. In three coral reef fish species we tested the effect of hypoxia on upper thermal limits, measured as critical thermal maximum (CTmax). In one of these species we also quantified the effect of hypoxia on oxygen supply capacity, measured as aerobic scope (AS). In this species we also tested the effect of elevated CO2 (simulated ocean acidification) on the hypoxia sensitivity of CTmax. We found that CTmax was unaffected by progressive hypoxia down to approximately 35 mmHg, despite a substantial hypoxia-induced reduction in AS. Below approximately 35 mmHg, CTmax declined sharply with water oxygen tension (PwO2). Furthermore, the hypoxia sensitivity of CTmax was unaffected by elevated CO2. Our findings show that moderate hypoxia and ocean acidification do not constrain the upper thermal limits of these tropical, stenothermal fishes.

Item ID: 50868
Item Type: Article (Research - C1)
ISSN: 1744-957X
Keywords: critical oxygen tension (P-crit), critical thermal maximum (CTmax), oxygen- and capacity-limited thermal tolerance (OCLTT), oxygen limit for thermal tolerance (P-CTmax), oxygen uptake (M-O2), hypercapnia (water CO2)
Date Deposited: 27 Sep 2017 07:38
FoR Codes: 31 BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES > 3103 Ecology > 310305 Marine and estuarine ecology (incl. marine ichthyology) @ 50%
41 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES > 4101 Climate change impacts and adaptation > 410102 Ecological impacts of climate change and ecological adaptation @ 50%
SEO Codes: 96 ENVIRONMENT > 9608 Flora, Fauna and Biodiversity > 960808 Marine Flora, Fauna and Biodiversity @ 50%
96 ENVIRONMENT > 9603 Climate and Climate Change > 960303 Climate Change Models @ 50%
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