title: Synergistic interaction between UVB radiation and temperature increases susceptibility to parasitic infection in a fish.
abstract: Levels of UVB radiation (UVB) and mean temperatures have increased substantially over recent decades in many regions of the world. Both stressors independently can compromise immune function, disease resistance and fitness in fish. The impact of UVB can also be exacerbated by interactions with environmental temperatures. In this paper, we test the hypothesis that UVB and temperature act synergistically to influence patterns of energy consumption and susceptibility to disease. We exposed mosquitofish, Gambusia holbrooki, to a factorial design of low and high UVB levels and low (18°C) and high (25°C) temperatures. The combination of high UVB and high temperature interacted synergistically to suppress metabolism and exacerbate infection intensity by the fish pathogen whitespot (Ichtyhophthirius multifiliis). Given the rapid changes in the thermal environment globally, the interaction between UVB and temperatures on energy use and disease resistance could pose significant problems for aquatic animal health in the context of both pre-existing and emerging diseases.
authors.affiliation: School of Biological Sciences, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia.
authors.forename: Rebecca L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Cramp
authors.affiliation: School of Biological Sciences, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia.
authors.forename: Stefanie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Reid
authors.affiliation: School of Biological Sciences, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales 2006, Australia.
authors.forename: Frank
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Seebacher
authors.affiliation: School of Biological Sciences, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia c.franklin@uq.edu.au.
authors.forename: Craig E
authors.initials: CE
authors.lastname: Franklin
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D016770:Ciliophora Infections / Q000662:veterinary*; D003532:Cyprinodontiformes / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000469:parasitology*; D004198:Disease Susceptibility; D005393:Fish Diseases / Q000469:parasitology*; D006358:Hot Temperature; D016803:Hymenostomatida / Q000502:physiology*; D013312:Stress, Physiological; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays
keywords: UV radiation; climate change; disease; infection; synergistic interaction; temperature