title: Differences in thermal tolerance among sockeye salmon populations.
abstract: Climate change-induced increases in summer water temperature have been associated with elevated mortality of adult sockeye salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka) during river migration. We show that cardiorespiratory physiology varies at the population level among Fraser River sockeye salmon and relates to historical environmental conditions encountered while migrating. Fish from populations with more challenging migratory environments have greater aerobic scope, larger hearts, and better coronary supply. Furthermore, thermal optima for aerobic, cardiac, and heart rate scopes are consistent with the historic river temperature ranges for each population. This study suggests that physiological adaptation occurs at a very local scale, with population-specific thermal limits being set by physiological limitations in aerobic performance, possibly due to cardiac collapse at high temperatures.
authors: Department of Zoology, University of British Columbia, 6270 University Boulevard, Vancouver, BC, Canada, V6T 1Z4. eliason@zoology.ubc.ca
authors: Erika J
authors: EJ
authors: Eliason
authors: Timothy D
authors: TD
authors: Clark
authors: Merran J
authors: MJ
authors: Hague
authors: Linda M
authors: LM
authors: Hanson
authors: Zoë S
authors: ZS
authors: Gallagher
authors: Ken M
authors: KM
authors: Jeffries
authors: Marika K
authors: MK
authors: Gale
authors: David A
authors: DA
authors: Patterson
authors: Scott G
authors: SG
authors: Hinch
authors: Anthony P
authors: AP
authors: Farrell
mesh_terms: D000222:Adaptation, Physiological; D025041:Animal Migration; D000818:Animals; D057231:Climate Change; D006321:Heart / Q000502:physiology; D011157:Population Dynamics; D012474:Salmon / Q000502:physiology*; D013045:Species Specificity; D013696:Temperature