Honors College Theses

Publication Date

2023

Major

Biology (B.S.B.)

Document Type and Release Option

Thesis (open access)

Faculty Mentor

Dr. Johanne M. Lewis

Abstract

Climate change and temperature are two very important topics for the coming future. As climate change projections estimate a 2-3°C increase in water temperatures by the end of the century, the habitats of many aquatic organisms will be affected in more ways than one. Temperature has proven to be an integral part of the driving force that causes physiological, behavioral, and ecological patterns in aquatic organisms. Striped bass (Morone saxatilis) and their responses to changes in water temperature have been a topic of interest due to the fact that the southern populations do not follow their northern counterparts in summer coastal migrations; they remain in the warming freshwater systems along the coast of the southeastern United States. It has been shown that some fishes have the ability to remodel their cardiorespiratory systems in response to warming temperatures. Our study aimed to determine if temperature-induced changes in performance are related to the remodeling of cardiorespiratory capacity in striped bass, especially that of the southern populations. Fish were being held at constant temperatures (20, 25, and 30°C) for fourteen days which incorporates the existing summer temperature regulations being modeled at present. Ventricle volume and gill surface area were measured to determine if fish are making morphological changes as a means to increase their oxygen uptake and delivery in warmer environments.

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