Development of a Bioenergetics Model for the Threespine Stickleback

Abstract

The Threespine Stickleback Gasterosteus aculeatus is widely distributed across northern hemisphere ecosystems, has ecological influence as an abundant planktivore, and is commonly used as a model organism, but the species lacks a comprehensive model to describe bioenergetic performance in response to varying environmental or ecological conditions. This study parameterized a bioenergetics model for the Threespine Stickleback using laboratory measurements to determine mass-and temperature-dependent functions for maximum consumption and routine respiration costs. Maximum consumption experiments were conducted across a range of temperatures from 7.5 C to 23.0 C and a range of fish weights from 0.5 to 4.5 g. Respiration experiments were conducted across a range of temperatures from 8 C to 28 C. Model sensitivity was consistent with other comparable models in that the mass-dependent parameters for maximum consumption were the most sensitive. Growth estimates based on the Threespine Stickleback bioenergetics model suggested that 22 C is the optimal temperature for growth when food is not limiting. The bioenergetics model performed well when used to predict independent, paired measures of consumption and growth observed from a separate wild population of Threespine Sticklebacks. Predicted values for consumption and growth (expressed as percent body weight per day) only deviated from observed values by 2.0%. Our model should provide insight into the physiological performance of this species across a range of environmental conditions and be useful for quantifying the trophic impact of this species in food webs containing other ecologically or economically important species.

Digestive enzyme activity of the Japanese grenadier anchovyCoilia nasusduring spawning migration: influence of the migration distance and the water temperature

“…Fish are ectothermic animals; consequently, water temperature is a key environmental factor that affects the metabolic rates of many aquatic organisms (Yang et al ., ), especially in seasonal anadromous fish. The effects of temperature are dominant in many physiological processes, such as growth, development, migration and ingestion, in which the enzyme activity has a crucial role in supporting these processes (Hovel et al ., ). More specifically, the water temperature can adjust the activity of digestive enzyme by altering the body temperature of the fish, thus directly affecting the digestibility of food (Kofuji et al ., ; Temming & Herrmann, ).…”

A bioenergetics model of the entire life cycle of the three‐spined stickleback,gasterosteus aculeatus

“…Actually, stickleback can play an important role in ecology by dominating fish communities or affecting ecosystem functioning (Harmon et al., ). For example, it can compete with economically valuable species, such as salmonids or cottids, in resource‐limited environments (Hovel, Beauchamp, Hansen, & Sorel, ). The three‐spined stickleback is a model species for experimental studies in aquatic evolutionary biology, ecology and behaviour.…”

Within‐lake habitat heterogeneity mediates community response to warming trends

“…, Hovel et al. ), and with a sufficiently long and warm growing season threespine sticklebacks can spawn multiple times (Brown‐Peterson and Heins , Hovel et al. ).…”