María Eugenia Lattuca

Susceptibility of native perca (Percichthys trucha) and exotic rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) to high temperature in Patagonia: different physiological traits and distinctive responses

The aim of this work was to explore for the existence of a physiological basis for the apparent exclusion of salmonid fish from the littoral zone of lakes in Patagonia in response to increasing water temperature, to the benefit of the native perca (Percichthys trucha). We conducted experiments on the thermal preferences of juvenile perca and rainbow trout collected in three sites of Northern Patagonia. We characterized the relationship between preferred and acclimation temperature (PT, AT) for perca and trout and analyzed between-sites variations in PTs. Both species responded with increasing PT to higher AT, but with differences in overall PT for perca from different sites (lower PTs for fish from cooler lake). In general, rainbow trout displayed lower PT and a narrower range of PT than perca. Our results provide the first comparative view of PTs of one important native fish and the main sport fish species of Patagonia. Native perca may be better equipped to cope with warmer waters than exotic rainbow trout, in agreement with their geographic distribution. Also, perca may have an advantage at the local level, particularly in littoral areas of lakes, through the alleviation of predation by and trophic competition with trout.

Temperature influence on post-prandial metabolic rate of sub-Antarctic teleost fish.

The influence of temperature on the aerobic metabolism and the energetic cost of food intake (Specific Dynamic Action; SDA) have been investigated in four species of Sub-Antarctic teleosts. The species were the notothenioids Paranotothenia magellanica, Patagonotothen sima and Harpagifer bispinis and the zoarcid Austrolycus depressiceps. Individuals were captured in the vicinity of Ushuaia Bay. Experimental temperatures were 10, 4 and 2 degrees C, which correspond to summer, winter and extreme winter respectively. Individual respirometry chambers and calorimetric techniques were used. Different food items were provided: crustaceans (isopods and amphipods) and Argentinean hake muscle. Interspecific analysis was done on species fed with isopods. A rapid increase in oxygen consumption was registered after meals, indicating a typical SDA response. The Duration of the SDA was longer at low temperatures. The extra energy spent during the process itself, and when expressed as a percentage of consumed food energy, decreased with decreasing temperature. The SDA Coefficient was higher for H. bispinis that were fed with isopods. We suggest that decreases in temperature diminish the metabolic cost and extend SDA. Energy-saving mechanisms could be an evolutionary advantage to minimize the energetic cost of living at low sub-Antarctic temperatures. A general model of exponential decay is suggested for the duration of SDA and Temperature, based on the present study and compiled from literature data.

Thermal ecology of Galaxias platei (Pisces, Galaxiidae) in South Patagonia: perspectives under a climate change scenario

The native freshwater fish Galaxias platei shows a wide latitudinal distribution in Patagonia, being found on both sides of the Andes. Currently, climate change poses one of the main threats to native fish, and its effects are appearing faster in high southern latitudes. The aim of this work was to analyse the possible effects of climate change in G. platei through its thermal responses. We hypothesized that juveniles of this species would be affected by indirect rather than by direct consequences of climate change. We determined the thermal tolerance polygon using Critical Thermal Methodology and preferred temperatures using a thermal gradient. Additionally, we evaluated routine metabolic rate using stop-flow respirometry. Results showed an intermediate to large polygon, with a non-negligible portion acquired through acclimation. Preferred temperatures and routine metabolic rates were positively related to acclimation temperature. Results suggest that G. platei thermal tolerance is dependent on its prior thermal history, have a eurythermal nature but maintain high levels of cold tolerance. Moreover, G. platei would be better suited at maintaining homeostasis at highest temperatures where more energy could be available for growth. This is the first time that thermal ecology data are registered for this species at its southernmost distribution.

Baseline levels of biomarkers of oxidative damage in Odontesthes nigricans (Pisces, Atherinopsidae) from two coastal areas of the Beagle Channel, Argentina

Se evaluaron diversos biomarcadores de dano oxidativo en el pejerrey Odontesthes nigricans proveniente de las bahias Varela y Golondrina, ubicadas sobre la costa norte del Canal Beagle (Tierra del Fuego, Argentina), y se trataron de relacionar las respuestas observadas a los datos ambientales. Bahia Varela es principalmente visitada por pescadores locales y turistas durante la temporada de primavera-verano, por otro lado Bahia Golondrina es un area de escaso impacto humano, a pesar del crecimiento poblacional registrado en sus inmediaciones. Los peces de Bahia Golondrina mostraron una mejor condicion en comparacion a aquellos provenientes de Bahia Varela. La actividad de los antioxidantes enzimaticos y el contenido de los antioxidantes no enzimaticos fueron mas bajos en las branquias que en el higado, independientemente del sitio de muestreo. No se encontraron diferencias significativas en las branquias entre sitios de muestreo. Sin embargo, se observo un aumento en la actividad de la catalasa y la superoxido dismutasa y una disminucion en la relacion GSH/GSSG en el higado de los peces de Bahia Varela, posiblemente debido a mayores niveles de estresores ambientales naturales, principalmente metales en los sedimentos. Este estudio indica una respuesta organo-dependiente y establece diferentes niveles basales de parametros bioquimicos para cada bahia que pueden ser considerados como valores normales de homeostasis de pejerreyes salvajes.

Thermal responses of three native fishes from estuarine areas of the Beagle Channel, and their implications for climate change

The aim of this work was to analyze the thermal responses of Odontesthes nigricans, Eleginops maclovinus and diadromous Galaxias maculatus, key species in estuarine areas of the Beagle Channel (Tierra del Fuego, Argentina), under a climate change scenario. We hypothesized that in the southernmost limit of the species’ distribution, individuals are more likely to be affected by indirect consequences of climate change rather than direct temperature mortality. Their thermal tolerance limits were assessed using the Critical Thermal Methodology and their preferred temperatures, using a thermal gradient. Additionally, the Fulton’s condition factor and the energy density of individuals were analyzed as a proxy of the condition of fishes acclimated to different temperatures. Results showed that species analyzed have the ability to acclimate to the different temperatures, intermediate to large tolerance polygons and positive relationships between preferred and acclimation temperatures, indicating their eurythermic nature. Thus, O. nigricans, E. maclovinus and diadromous G. maculatus populations from Tierra del Fuego could experience enhanced performances because of moderate warming being and, as it was hypothesized, be influenced by indirect consequences of climate change (habitat degradation or changes in trophic structure) since they are living in environments that are widely cooler than their maximum tolerance.