The effects of elevated temperature on the sexual traits, immunology and survivorship of a tropical ectotherm.
نویسندگان
چکیده
In 2007, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change projected an average global air temperature increase of 1.1-6.4°C by the end of the 21st century. Although the tropics are predicted to experience less extreme temperature increases than regions of higher latitude, tropical ectotherms live close to their thermal limits, and are thus particularly vulnerable to increases in temperature. In this study, we examined how predicted patterns of global warming will affect survival and sexual traits in the Trinidadian guppy (Poecilia reticulata). Guppies were exposed from birth to one of four temperature treatments: 23, 25 (control), 28 or 30°C. We measured brood survival and, at sexual maturity, male ornamentation, sperm traits and immune response. Our results show that increases in temperature result in guppies that have shorter, slower sperm but that there is an optimum temperature for ornamental hue at 28°C. Given the importance of sperm quality for reproduction, these results suggest population viability could be affected by warming. However, we found no difference in brood survival or immune response to a novel antigen across the treatments, indicating that survival may not be as vulnerable as previously thought. Overall, our data suggest that male sexual traits, and in particular sperm performance, are more sensitive than survival to a warming environment.
منابع مشابه
The impact of atmospheric temperature and soil nitrogen on some physiological traits and dry matter accumulation of wheat (Triticum aestivum cv. Bahar)
Wheat is the most important cereal crop in the world as well as in Iran. The studies related to the effects of global climate change on wheat production usually assess the impact of changes in atmospheric CO2 concentration and temperature on growth and yield. On the other hand, nitrogen is the most crucial plant nutrient for crop production and the proper management and improving the utilizatio...
متن کاملEFFECTS OF ELEVATED TEMPERATURE ON MECHANICAL BEHAVIOR OF AN ALUMINUM METAL MATRIX COMPOSITE
Effects of temperature on properties and behavior of a 20 vol % particulate SiC reinforced 6061 aluminum alloy and 6061 unreinforced Al alloy were investigated. Yield strength and elongation to failure were measured as a function of test temperatures up to 180^oC. In addition, the effects of holding time at 180^ oC on tensile properties and fracture mechanisms of the materials at this temperatu...
متن کاملStrong negative effects of simulated heat waves in a tropical butterfly.
Climate change poses a significant challenge to all natural systems on Earth. Especially increases in extreme weather events such as heat waves have the potential to strongly affect biodiversity, though their effects are poorly understood because of a lack of empirical data. Therefore, we here explore the sensitivity of a tropical ectotherm, which are in general believed to have a low warming t...
متن کاملBiochemical and Physiological Changes during Thermal Stress in Bovines: A Review
The variation in climatic variables like temperature, humidity and radiations were recognized as the potential hazards in the growth and production of all domestic livestock species. Thermal environment is a major factor that can negatively affect both production and reproduction in dairy animals, especially in animals of high genetic merit. Among the stressors, heat stress has been of major co...
متن کاملذخیره در منابع من
با ذخیره ی این منبع در منابع من، دسترسی به آن را برای استفاده های بعدی آسان تر کنید
عنوان ژورنال:
- The Journal of experimental biology
دوره 216 Pt 14 شماره
صفحات -
تاریخ انتشار 2013