Are the intertidal fish highly resistant to UV-B radiation? A study based on oxidative stress in Girella laevifrons (Kyphosidae).
Sea chub, Girella laevifrons, is a coastal fish that inhabits high intertidal rockpools along the coast of Chile. The intertidal pools where the juveniles live, are an extreme environment with high levels of ultraviolet (UV) radiation, becoming harmful to the organisms, due to oxidative stress generated by reactive oxygen species. For this reason organisms develop adaptations that allow them to survive in this complex environment. The search of biomonitor species, sensitive to UV radiation is very important in aquatic ecosystems, mainly in the southern hemisphere where depletion of the ozone layer and the consequent increase of UV radiation, have become an environmental problem. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of ultraviolet radiation in G. laevifrons and its possible use as UV-B radiation biomonitor specie in intertidal systems, which are very important for the Chilean fisheries. The effect of UV radiation exposure on juvenile G. laevifrons was measured through oxidative stress parameters. Catalase's activity increased with the time of exposure, unlike superoxide dismutase's activity which peaked at 2h, decreasing towards the 5th hour of irradiation. The superoxide dismutase activity in muscle tissue did not show significant differences. The lipid peroxidation and DNA damage increased in relation to exposition times. Tissue muscle's DNA damage was shown only at 5h of exposure. Significant differences between the two organs in the antioxidant capacity were observed, the liver of G. laevifrons exhibited the higher antioxidant capacity. It can be concluded that this specie exhibits effective protection mechanisms against UV radiation exposure and it is not appropriate specie as a biomonitor in intertidal systems.
Facultad de Ciencias del Mar y de Recursos Naturales, Universidad de Valparaíso, Avenida Borgoño 16344, Reñaca, Viña del Mar, Chile.
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Carrasco-Malio
Facultad de Ciencias del Mar y de Recursos Naturales, Universidad de Valparaíso, Avenida Borgoño 16344, Reñaca, Viña del Mar, Chile.
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Díaz
Facultad de Ciencias del Mar y de Recursos Naturales, Universidad de Valparaíso, Avenida Borgoño 16344, Reñaca, Viña del Mar, Chile.
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Mella
Facultad de Ciencias del Mar y de Recursos Naturales, Universidad de Valparaíso, Avenida Borgoño 16344, Reñaca, Viña del Mar, Chile.
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Montoya
Facultad de Ciencias del Mar y de Recursos Naturales, Universidad de Valparaíso, Avenida Borgoño 16344, Reñaca, Viña del Mar, Chile.
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Miranda
Laboratorio de Ictioplancton (LABITI), Facultad de Ciencias del Mar y de Recursos Naturales, Universidad de Valparaíso, Avenida Borgoño 16344, Reñaca, Viña del Mar, Chile.
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Landaeta
Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad de Valparaíso, Avda. Gran Bretaña 1093, Playa Ancha, Valparaíso, Chile. Electronic address: georgina.sanchez@uv.cl.
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Sánchez
Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Valparaíso, Avda. Gran Bretaña 1111, Playa Ancha, Valparaíso, Chile.
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Hidalgo
D000222:Adaptation, Physiological / Q000528:radiation effects; D000818:Animals; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000378:metabolism; D002677:Chile; D004249:DNA Damage / Q000528:radiation effects; D004777:Environment; D005399:Fishes / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D015227:Lipid Peroxidation / Q000528:radiation effects; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000528:radiation effects*; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species; D013696:Temperature; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays
D000975:Antioxidants; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species
Biomonitoring; Girella laevifrons; System intertidal; Ultraviolet radiation