Thermal sensitivity of juvenile rabbitfishes Siganus doliatus and S. lineatus (Siganidae): a key role for habitat?

LaMonica, Lauren E., Fox, Rebecca J., and Donelson, Jennifer M. (2021) Thermal sensitivity of juvenile rabbitfishes Siganus doliatus and S. lineatus (Siganidae): a key role for habitat? Coral Reefs, 40. pp. 1307-1320.

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Abstract

The majority of our understanding of the effects of climate change on coral reef fishes are currently based on studies of small-bodied species such as damselfishes. By contrast, we know little about the potential impacts of ocean warming on larger species of herbivorous and detritivorous reef fish, despite them being a critical functional group and an essential source of food protein for millions of people. In addition, we know little of the role of habitat in determining species’ thermal sensitivity and the legitimacy of extrapolating thermal performance across closely-related species from different habitat types. Here we test the effect of exposure to increased water temperature during juvenile development on key physiological and behavioral traits of two species of rabbitfish typically associated with different habitats: Siganus doliatus (reef-associated) and S. lineatus (estuarine). Wild-caught juveniles were reared for 14 weeks at temperatures representing present-day ambient conditions (28.0 °C), late-summer ambient conditions (30.0 °C), or those projected on reefs under future global warming scenarios (31.5 °C). We then measured the somatic (growth, condition, immune response) and behavioral (feeding rate, latency to feed and activity level) traits of individuals within each treatment to determine the sensitivity of each species to elevated water temperatures. Overall, both species showed comparatively robust levels of thermal tolerance, based on previously-documented responses of small-bodied reef fishes. However, two very different patterns emerged. The reef-associated S. doliatus showed a greater physiological response to temperature, with negative effects on hepatosomatic condition and immune function observed in individuals exposed to the 31.5 °C treatment. By contrast, there were no negative physiological effects of temperature observed in S. lineatus and instead we recorded behavioral changes, with individuals at 30 °C and 31.5 °C displaying altered feeding behavior (increased feeding rate and decreased latency to feed). These distinct responses observed between congeners are likely due to their evolutionary history and flag the potential inaccuracies that could arise from extrapolating effects of ocean warming across even closely-related species adapted to different habitats.

Item ID: 68574
Item Type: Article (Research - C1)
ISSN: 1432-0975
Keywords: Climate change, Ocean warming, Physiological condition, Immunity, Feeding, Behavior
Copyright Information: (C) The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature 2021.
Funders: James Cook University (JCU), Sea World Research and Rescue Foundation, ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, Australian Research Council (ARC)
Projects and Grants: JCU College of Science and Engineering, ARC DP190100279
Date Deposited: 08 Jul 2021 04:43
FoR Codes: 41 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES > 4101 Climate change impacts and adaptation > 410102 Ecological impacts of climate change and ecological adaptation @ 50%
31 BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES > 3103 Ecology > 310305 Marine and estuarine ecology (incl. marine ichthyology) @ 40%
31 BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES > 3109 Zoology > 310901 Animal behaviour @ 10%
SEO Codes: 19 ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY, CLIMATE CHANGE AND NATURAL HAZARDS > 1905 Understanding climate change > 190504 Effects of climate change on Australia (excl. social impacts) @ 55%
28 EXPANDING KNOWLEDGE > 2801 Expanding knowledge > 280102 Expanding knowledge in the biological sciences @ 45%
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