Sublethal effects of salinity and temperature on non-native blue catfish: Implications for establishment in Atlantic slope drainages

Abstract

The distribution and further range expansion of non-native blue catfish Ictalurus furcatus in coastal waters throughout the United States Atlantic slope depend, in part, on the salinity tolerance of the fish. However, temperature-mediated sublethal effects of increased salinities on blue catfish biology are not yet known. We assessed the effects of salinity and temperature on growth, body condition, body composition and food consumption of juvenile blue catfish in a controlled laboratory experiment. Temperature and salinity had an interactive effect on blue catfish biology, although most fish survived 112 days in salinities up to 10 psu. At salinities ≤7 psu, mean growth rate, body condition and consumption rates were higher at 22°C than at 12°C. Mean consumption rates declined significantly with increasing salinities, yet, salinities ≤7 psu were conducive to rapid growth and high body condition, with highest growth and body condition at 4 psu. Fish at 10 psu exhibited low consumption rates, slow growth, low body condition and lower proportions of lipids. Habitats with hyperosmotic salinities (>9 psu) likely will not support the full lifecycle of blue catfish, but the fish may use salinities up to 10 psu for foraging, dispersal and even growth. Many oligohaline and mesohaline habitats in U.S. Atlantic slope drainages may thus be vulnerable to establishment of invasive blue catfish, particularly given the increasing temperatures as a result of climate warming.

Blood biochemical variables, antioxidative status, and histological features of intestinal, gill, and liver tissues of African catfish (Clarias gariepinus) exposed to high salinity and high-temperature stress

“…Although that European seabass ( Dicentrarchus labrax ) is euryhaline fish species, high temperature (33 °C) combined with hypersalinity caused low adaptation ability through high mortality rates and oxidative stress (Islam et al, 2020 ). Since freshwater fish species are sensitive to water salinity changes (Nepal and Fabrizio, 2020 ), it is crucial to investigate the combined impacts of high temperature and salinity on the growth performances, physiological, immunological, and antioxidative responses.…”

Effect of osmotic stress on protein concentration and antioxidant enzymes activity in the organism of nine-spined stickleback Pungitius pungitius (Gasterosteidae) from the White Sea Basin

“…Ранее показано, что при окислительном стрессе, вызванном нарушением осмотического баланса, происходит накопление избыточного количества АФК, что приводит к деградации пептидных связей в белках, окислению различных макромолекул, и в итоге является причиной метаболической дисфункции и даже гибели клеток (Lushchak 2011;Shakir et al 2014;Giang et al 2018). Осмотический стресс вызывает быстрые изменения размера клетки в зависимости от типа стрессового воздействия (гипо-или гиперосмотического) и нарушает взаимодействие белков цитоскелета с мембранами, что может отражаться на концентрации белка (Nepal and Fabrizio, 2020). Например, уменьшение концентрации белка в плазме Таблица 1.…”

OUP accepted manuscript

“…Our findings highlight the concern about further range expansion and potential negative impacts of blue catfish in non-native environments such as the Chesapeake Bay and Atlantic slope rivers of the Eastern USA. Range expansion and impacts of blue catfish in Chesapeake Bay may not be hindered by the estuarine salinity gradient ( Nepal and Fabrizio, 2019 ) or climate warming ( Nepal and Fabrizio , 2020a, b ). Here, we report that blue catfish have low energetic demands and are able to maintain positive growth in low-food environments.…”