title: Sub-lethal increases in salinity affect reproduction in fathead minnows.
abstract: Salinization poses a threat to many inland aquatic ecosystems, especially in areas where natural processes are compounded by anthropogenic salinization. Though physiological survival can be a challenge for stenohaline freshwater fishes facing increasing salinity, it is important to note that essential and complex activities such as reproduction may be affected well below physiological tolerance limits. Here, we exposed fathead minnows (Pimephales promelas) to four levels of salinity in order to assess any impacts on several egg production and behavioral endpoints. We found significant reductions in total eggs produced, percent fertilization, number of spawning days, clutch size, total time males spent in the nest, and duration of nest care events. Our data demonstrate that salinization can have negative effects on critical reproductive endpoints.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, University of Saskatchewan, 112 Science Place, Saskatoon, SK S7N 5E2, Canada. Electronic address: zach.hoover@usask.ca.
authors.forename: Zachary
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Hoover
authors.forename: Jordan N
authors.initials: JN
authors.lastname: Weisgerber
authors.forename: Michael S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Pollock
authors.forename: Douglas P
authors.initials: DP
authors.lastname: Chivers
authors.forename: Maud C O
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Ferrari
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003530:Cyprinidae / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D005306:Fertilization / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D009425:Nesting Behavior / Q000187:drug effects; D010058:Oviposition / Q000187:drug effects; D012098:Reproduction / Q000187:drug effects*; D054712:Salinity; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000009:adverse effects*
chemical_list: D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical
keywords: Fathead minnow; Reproduction; Salinity; Salinization; Sub-lethal effects