Behavioural disturbances in a temperate fish exposed to sustained high-CO2 levels

Behavioural disturbances in a temperate fish exposed to sustained high-CO2 levels

Published 10 June 2013 Science Leave a Comment
Tags: biological response, fish, laboratory, North Atlantic, performance

As atmospheric CO₂ levels rise, the CO₂ concentration in ocean surface waters increases through a process commonly referred to as ocean acidification. Recently, surprising behavioural modifications has been detected in the early life stages of tropical coral reef fish exposed to ocean acidification-relevant CO₂ concentrations, but it has been unclear if this effect could occur in temperate waters. Here we show several severe behavioural disturbances, including effects on boldness, exploratory behaviour, lateralisation, and learning in a temperate fish, the three-spined stickleback (Gasterosteus aculeatus). The behavioural effects were consistent throughout the exposure period and increased in effect size with exposure time. We observed the effects on adult sticklebacks, a species known to be tolerant to other environmental stressors. Our findings suggest that behavioural abnormalities that stem from CO₂ exposure are not restricted to sensitive tropical species or early life stages and may therefore affect fish on a global scale. The severity of disturbances and the possibility of a serious behavioural problem for fish across the globe is cause for concern.

Jutfelt F., Bresolin de Souza K., Vuylsteke A. & Sturve J., 2013. Behavioural disturbances in a temperate fish exposed to sustained high-CO2 levels. PLoS ONE 8(6): e65825. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0065825. Article.

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