Behavioural thermoregulation in a temperature-sensitive coral reef fish, the five-lined cardinalfish (Cheilodipterus quinquelineatus)
Research output: Contribution to journal › Journal article › Research › peer-review
As global temperatures increase, fish populations at low latitudes are thought to be at risk as they are adapted to narrow temperature ranges and live at temperatures close to their thermal tolerance limits. Behavioural movements, based on a preference for a specific temperature (Tpref), may provide a strategy to cope with changing conditions. A temperature-sensitive coral reef cardinalfish (Cheilodipterusquinquelineatus) was exposed to 28 °C (average at collection site) or 32 °C (predicted end-of-century) for 6 weeks. Tpref was determined using a shuttlebox system, which allowed fish to behaviourally manipulate their thermal environment. Regardless of treatment temperature, fish preferred 29.5 ± 0.25 °C, approximating summer average temperatures in the wild. However, 32 °C fish moved more frequently to correct their thermal environment than 28 °C fish, and daytime movements were more frequent than night-time movements. Understanding temperature-mediated movements is imperative for predicting how ocean warming will influence coral reef species and distribution patterns.
Original language | English |
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Journal | Coral Reefs |
Volume | 34 |
Issue number | 4 |
Pages (from-to) | 1261-1265 |
Number of pages | 5 |
ISSN | 0722-4028 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 2015 |
- Behavioural thermoregulation, Temperature preference, Temperature sensitivity
Research areas
ID: 153412994