|
The gastrointestinal system in fish is much more sensitive totemperature changes than previously believed and may even be alimiting factor for the distribution of species, a thesis from theUniversity of Gothenburg shows. By looking at how gut function in various fish species is affectedby both rapid and slow changes in water temperature, we can betterunderstand what will happen to different species when the climatechanges. "When the temperature of the water rises, the fish's bodytemperature climbs, activity in the gut increases, and more energyis needed to stay healthy," says researcher AlbinGräns,who has studied various species in both saltwater andfreshwater environments in western Sweden, California andGreenland. Ectothermic animals are Cold-blooded victims of their environment Almost all fish are ectothermiccold-blooded, which means that theirbody temperature is the same as that of their surroundings. Whenthe temperature of the water changes, so does the temperature ofthe fish, which affects all their body functions. "Since changes in body temperature affect virtually all of afish's organs, it's surprising that we know so little about howtemperature changes impact on their physiology," saysGräns. Winners and losers Albin Gräns has studied sculpin, sturgeon and rainbowtrout/salmon at various temperatures. His research shows that some species may find it harder to absorbnutrients as water temperatures rise, while others could profitfrom the new climate. "If the water temperature in the Arctic rises further, somesedentary immobile species, such as various types of sculpin, willprobably struggle to maintain blood flow in the gut during thesummer months, which will affect their health," he explains. Other fish, such as those currently living at the lower extremes oftheir possible distribution, could instead benefit from a slightlyhigher temperature. The effects of a rise in water temperature willtherefore vary between species, and many of the changes aredifficult to predict. "Our work is largely about trying to identify thephysiological bottlenecks, in other words which parts of the bodywill fail first -- whether the heart or the gut is the mostsensitive part of the system." Exploiting temperature differences Turning food into nutrition requires the gastrointestinal system tofunction properly. Fish turn out to have guts that are highlysensitive to changes in water temperature, and manytemperature-regulating behaviors observed in fish can probably bedue to that the fish put down to attempts to maintain or maximizegastrointestinal function. "By eating at one temperature and then swimming off to anothertemperature to digest the food, fish can exploit areas that mightotherwise be harmful to them," says Gräns. I am an expert from balljointbearings.com, while we provides the quality product, such as China Linear Motion Ball Bearing , Slewing Ring Bearings, Angular Contact Ball Bearing,and more.
Related Articles -
China Linear Motion Ball Bearing, Slewing Ring Bearings,
|
