Department of Environmental Science, Center for Reservoir and Aquatic Systems Research, Baylor University, Waco, TX, 76798, USA.
Institute of Biomedical Studies, Baylor University, Waco, TX, 76798, USA.
Arch Environ Contam Toxicol. 2022 Aug;83(2):180-192. doi: 10.1007/s00244-022-00951-6. Epub 2022 Aug 17.
Salinization of aquatic systems is an emerging global issue projected to increase in magnitude, frequency, and duration with climate change and landscape modifications. To consider influences of salinity on locomotor activity of common fish models, we examined behavioral response profiles of two species, zebrafish (Danio rerio) and fathead minnow (Pimephales promelas), across a gradient of sodium chloride. Following each experiment, behavior was recorded with automated tracking software and then behavioral response variables, including locomotor (e.g., distance traveled, number of movements, duration of movements) and photolocomotor changes, were examined at several speed thresholds (bursting, cruising, freezing) to identify potential salinity responses. Zebrafish responses were significantly (p < 0.05) reduced at the highest treatment level (5.78 g/L) for multiple behavioral endpoints during both dark and light phases; however, fathead minnow responses were more variable and not consistently concentration dependent. Future efforts are needed to understand behavioral response profiles in combination with anthropogenic contaminants and natural toxins across the freshwater to marine continuum, considering salinization of inland waters, sea level rise, and transport of anthropogenic contaminants and algal toxins from inland waters to coastal systems.
水生系统的盐化是一个新出现的全球性问题，预计随着气候变化和景观改造，其严重程度、频率和持续时间都将增加。为了研究盐度对常见鱼类模型运动活动的影响，我们研究了两种鱼类（斑马鱼和褐鳟）在氯化钠梯度下的行为反应特征。在每次实验后，使用自动跟踪软件记录行为，然后在几个速度阈值（爆发、巡航、冻结）下检查行为反应变量，包括运动（例如，移动距离、移动次数、移动持续时间）和光运动变化，以确定潜在的盐度反应。在黑暗和光照阶段，斑马鱼在最高处理水平（5.78 g/L）下的多个行为终点的反应明显（p<0.05）降低；然而，褐鳟的反应更为多变，并不总是与浓度有关。未来需要努力结合人为污染物和天然毒素，在淡水到海洋连续体中，考虑内陆水域的盐化、海平面上升以及人为污染物和藻类毒素从内陆水域向沿海系统的传输，了解行为反应特征。
