UV radiation impacts body weight, oxygen consumption, and shelter selection in the intertidal vertebrate Girella laevifrons.
The amount of ultraviolet (UV) radiation reaching the earth's surface has increased due to ozone layer depletion, and this fact represents an opportunity to evaluate the physiological and behavioral responses of animals to this global-scale stressor. The transitory fish Girella laevifrons inhabits pools in the upper intertidal zone, which is characterized by exposure to a wide range of stressors, including UV radiation. We documented the field magnitude and the impact of UV radiation on oxygen consumption, body mass variations, and shelter (rocky and algae) selection by G. laevifrons. UV-exposed animals showed increased oxygen consumption, slower body weight increase, and active rocky shelter selection. Control fish showed increased body weight and no evident shelter selection. The results indicated that UV exposure affects fish energetic balance and habitat selection to favor greater protection against radiation. Increased UV exposure in transitory intertidal animals at levels observed in upper intertidal pools may alter the residency time of fish before leaving for the subtidal zone. Therefore, UV-induced energetic changes may determine animal performance and ontogenetic physiological itineraries, whereas shelter quality might determine habitat use.
Departamento de Ecología and Biodiversidad, República 440, Facultad de Ecología y Recursos Naturales, Universidad Andres Bello, Santiago, Chile. Electronic address: jpulgar@unab.cl.
José
J
Pulgar
Departamento de Ecología and Biodiversidad, República 440, Facultad de Ecología y Recursos Naturales, Universidad Andres Bello, Santiago, Chile.
Melany
M
Waldisperg
Departamento de Ecología and Biodiversidad, República 440, Facultad de Ecología y Recursos Naturales, Universidad Andres Bello, Santiago, Chile; Fundación MERI, Santiago 7650720, Chile.
Cristóbal
C
Galbán-Malagón
Departamento de Ecología and Biodiversidad, República 440, Facultad de Ecología y Recursos Naturales, Universidad Andres Bello, Santiago, Chile.
Diego
D
Maturana
Center for Research in Obstetrics & Gynecology, Wake Forest School of Medicine and Biomedical Research Infrastructure Center, Winston-Salem State University, Winston-Salem, NC, USA.
Victor M
VM
Pulgar
Centro de Investigación e Innovación para el Cambio Climático(CiiCC), Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Santo Tomás, Ejército146, Código Postal 8370003 Santiago, Chile. Electronic address: marcelaaldana@santotomas.cl.
Marcela
M
Aldana
D000818:Animals; D001522:Behavior, Animal / Q000528:radiation effects*; D001835:Body Weight / Q000528:radiation effects; D010101:Oxygen Consumption / Q000528:radiation effects*; D062966:Ozone Depletion; D010473:Perciformes / Q000502:physiology*; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays
Behavior; Ecophysiological response; Environmental stressor; Fish; Habitat selection; Intertidal pools