Current understanding of behavioural thermoregulation in aquatic ectotherms largely stems from systems such as “shuttle boxes”, which are generally limited in their capacity to test large-bodied species. Here, we introduce a controlled system that allows large aquatic ectotherms to roam freely in a tank at sub-optimal temperatures, using thermal refuges to increase body temperature to their thermal optimum as desired. Of the 10 coral grouper (Plectropomus leopardus; length ∼400 mm) implanted with thermal loggers, three fish maintained themselves at the ambient tank temperature of 17.5-20.5oC for the entire 2-4 d trial. Of the other seven fish, body temperature never exceeded ∼21.5oC, which was well below the temperature available in the thermal refuges (∼31oC) and below the species’ optimal temperature of ∼27oC. This study adds to a growing literature documenting an unexpected lack of behavioural thermoregulation in aquatic ectotherms in controlled, heterothermal environments.
Behavioural temperature regulation is a low priority in a coral reef fish (Plectropomus leopardus): insights from a novel behavioural thermoregulation system
- Award Group:
- Funder(s): Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
- Award Id(s): 2018-034
- Funder(s):
- Award Group:
- Funder(s): Australian Research Council
- Award Id(s): FT180100154
- Funder(s):
Currently Viewing Accepted Manuscript - Newer Version Available
T.D. Clark, H. Scheuffele, M.S. Pratchett, M.R. Skeeles; Behavioural temperature regulation is a low priority in a coral reef fish (Plectropomus leopardus): insights from a novel behavioural thermoregulation system. J Exp Biol 2022; jeb.244212. doi: https://doi.org/10.1242/jeb.244212
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