1
|
Fleet JL, Mackey TE, Jeffrey JD, Good SV, Jeffries KM, Hasler CT. Interindividual behavioural variation in response to elevated CO 2 predicts mRNA transcript abundance of genes related to acid-base regulation in medaka (Oryzias latipes). AQUATIC TOXICOLOGY (AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS) 2024; 270:106885. [PMID: 38479125 DOI: 10.1016/j.aquatox.2024.106885] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2023] [Revised: 02/06/2024] [Accepted: 03/03/2024] [Indexed: 04/13/2024]
Abstract
Rising carbon dioxide (CO2) in aquatic ecosystems due to climate change is a challenge for aquatic ectotherms. We examined whether interindividual variation in behavioural responses to CO2 could predict how a teleost fish would respond to elevated CO2 for multiple phenotypic and molecular traits. To this end, we first quantified behavioural responses of individuals exposed to acute elevated CO2, and used these to assign individuals as either high or low responders relative to the population mean. Subsequently, we exposed both high and low responders to elevated CO2 for 6 weeks and quantified the effect on body condition, behaviour, and mRNA transcript responses of gill and liver genes associated with relevant physiological processes. Generally, we found few relationships between the phenotypic groups and body condition and behaviour following the CO2 exposure period; however, stark differences between the phenotypic groups with respect to gene transcripts from each tissue related to various processes were found, mostly independent of CO2 exposure. The most pronounced changes were in the gill transcripts related to acid-base regulation, suggesting that the observed behavioural variation used to assign fish to phenotypic groups may have an underlying molecular origin. Should the link between behaviour and gene transcripts be shown to have a fitness advantage and be maintained across generations, interindividual variation in behavioural responses to acute CO2 exposure may be a viable and non-invasive tool to predict future population responses to elevated aquatic CO2.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jenna L Fleet
- Department of Biology, The University of Winnipeg, 515 Portage Avenue, Winnipeg, Manitoba R3B 2E9, Canada
| | - Theresa E Mackey
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Manitoba, 50 Sifton Road, Winnipeg, Manitoba R3T 2N2, Canada
| | - Jennifer D Jeffrey
- Department of Biology, The University of Winnipeg, 515 Portage Avenue, Winnipeg, Manitoba R3B 2E9, Canada; Department of Biological Sciences, University of Manitoba, 50 Sifton Road, Winnipeg, Manitoba R3T 2N2, Canada
| | - Sara V Good
- Department of Biology, The University of Winnipeg, 515 Portage Avenue, Winnipeg, Manitoba R3B 2E9, Canada; Department of Biological Sciences, University of Manitoba, 50 Sifton Road, Winnipeg, Manitoba R3T 2N2, Canada
| | - Kenneth M Jeffries
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Manitoba, 50 Sifton Road, Winnipeg, Manitoba R3T 2N2, Canada
| | - Caleb T Hasler
- Department of Biology, The University of Winnipeg, 515 Portage Avenue, Winnipeg, Manitoba R3B 2E9, Canada.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Frederickson S, Carrington B, Clark T. Zebrafish Injectable Plastic for Identification Tagging (ZIP IT) for larvae to adults using a fluorescent Visible Implant Elastomer. MethodsX 2023; 11:102340. [PMID: 37663002 PMCID: PMC10472287 DOI: 10.1016/j.mex.2023.102340] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2023] [Accepted: 08/21/2023] [Indexed: 09/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Distinguishing individuals or small groups is essential for many experiments. The regenerative properties of zebrafish make traditional marking methods for rodent models (e.g., tattoos, tissue clipping) ineffective. Fluorescent Visible Implant Elastomer (VIE) can permanently mark juvenile and adult zebrafish but to date no marking technique has been described for larval stage zebrafish. This protocol, Zebrafish Injectable Plastic for Identification Tagging (ZIP IT), utilizes VIE in zebrafish as early as 2 days post fertilization (dpf) using standard microinjection methods and direct injection using an insulin syringe at one month. Larval zebrafish between 2 and 7 dpf were injected in the dorsal musculature. At one month, retention and visibility of the VIE was observed in 72% of the injected fish with no effect on growth; however, a variable change in mortality was observed, generally higher than the uninjected fish. This demonstrates that VIE can be used in very early stages of fish development, providing the first procedure to track individuals or groups within a larger population. Subcutaneous injection of juvenile zebrafish starting at one month has greater than 99%-mark retention and visibility with very low mortality. The combination of larvae and juvenile VIE injections also provide a powerful tool to track and gather data from marked fish throughout their lifespan.•We present a method for tagging individuals or groups of zebrafish at most life stages (larvae or juvenile/adult) with Visible Implant Elastomer (VIE).•The larvae and juvenile injection procedures can be combined so that an individual fish can be tagged for its entire lifetime. Larvae injections become significantly less visible after one month; however, the fish can be reinjected using the juvenile procedure, thus allowing continuity of the visible mark.•This protocol was empirically built on the "Evaluation of VIE tags in Zebrafish (Danio rerio)" by Hohn and Petrie-Hanson (2013) and expanded to include larvae and a small batch elastomer mixing technique.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Stephen Frederickson
- Zebrafish Core, Office of Core Facilities, National Human Genome Research Institute, NIH, Bethesda, MD, United States
- Office of Laboratory Animal Medicine, Office of the Director, Division of Intramural Research, National Human Genome Research Institute, NIH, Bethesda, MD, United States
- Contemporaries (Contractor), National Human Genome Research Institute, NIH, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Blake Carrington
- Zebrafish Core, Office of Core Facilities, National Human Genome Research Institute, NIH, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Tannia Clark
- Office of Laboratory Animal Medicine, Office of the Director, Division of Intramural Research, National Human Genome Research Institute, NIH, Bethesda, MD, United States
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Anwer H, O'Dea RE, Mason D, Zajitschek S, Klinke A, Reid M, Hesselson D, Noble DWA, Morris MJ, Lagisz M, Nakagawa S. The effects of an obesogenic diet on behavior and cognition in zebrafish (
Danio rerio
): Trait average, variability, repeatability, and behavioral syndromes. Ecol Evol 2022; 12:e9511. [DOI: 10.1002/ece3.9511] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2022] [Revised: 10/20/2022] [Accepted: 10/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Hamza Anwer
- Evolution & Ecology Research Centre and School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences University of New South Wales Sydney New South Wales Australia
- Diabetes and Metabolism Division Garvan Institute of Medical Research Sydney New South Wales Australia
| | - Rose E. O'Dea
- Evolution & Ecology Research Centre and School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences University of New South Wales Sydney New South Wales Australia
| | - Dominic Mason
- Evolution & Ecology Research Centre and School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences University of New South Wales Sydney New South Wales Australia
- Diabetes and Metabolism Division Garvan Institute of Medical Research Sydney New South Wales Australia
| | - Susanne Zajitschek
- Evolution & Ecology Research Centre and School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences University of New South Wales Sydney New South Wales Australia
- Diabetes and Metabolism Division Garvan Institute of Medical Research Sydney New South Wales Australia
- Liverpool John Moores University School of Biological and Environmental Sciences Liverpool UK
| | - Annabell Klinke
- Evolution & Ecology Research Centre and School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences University of New South Wales Sydney New South Wales Australia
| | - Madeleine Reid
- Diabetes and Metabolism Division Garvan Institute of Medical Research Sydney New South Wales Australia
| | - Daniel Hesselson
- Diabetes and Metabolism Division Garvan Institute of Medical Research Sydney New South Wales Australia
- Centenary Institute and Faculty of Medicine and Health University of Sydney Sydney New South Wales Australia
| | - Daniel W. A. Noble
- Division of Ecology and Evolution, Research School of Biology The Australian National University Canberra Australian Capital Territory Australia
| | - Margaret J. Morris
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medical Sciences University of New South Wales Sydney New South Wales Australia
| | - Malgorzata Lagisz
- Evolution & Ecology Research Centre and School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences University of New South Wales Sydney New South Wales Australia
- Diabetes and Metabolism Division Garvan Institute of Medical Research Sydney New South Wales Australia
| | - Shinichi Nakagawa
- Evolution & Ecology Research Centre and School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences University of New South Wales Sydney New South Wales Australia
- Diabetes and Metabolism Division Garvan Institute of Medical Research Sydney New South Wales Australia
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Reduced physiological plasticity in a fish adapted to stable temperatures. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2022; 119:e2201919119. [PMID: 35617428 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2201919119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Significance Plastic individuals can buffer environmental changes, maintaining a stable performance across gradients. Plasticity is therefore thought to be particularly beneficial for the survival of wild populations that experience large environmental fluctuations, such as diel and seasonal temperature changes. Maintaining plasticity is widely assumed to be costly; however, empirical evidence demonstrating this cost is scarce. Here, we predict that if plasticity is costly, it would be readily lost in a stable environment, such as a laboratory. To test this, we measured a diverse range of phenotypic traits, spanning gene expression, physiology, and behavior, in wild and laboratory zebrafish acclimated to 15 temperatures. We show that laboratory fish have lost plasticity in many traits, demonstrating that maintaining plasticity carries a cost.
Collapse
|
5
|
Thorstensen MJ, Vandervelde CA, Bugg WS, Michaleski S, Vo L, Mackey TE, Lawrence MJ, Jeffries KM. Non-Lethal Sampling Supports Integrative Movement Research in Freshwater Fish. Front Genet 2022; 13:795355. [PMID: 35547248 PMCID: PMC9081360 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2022.795355] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2021] [Accepted: 03/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Freshwater ecosystems and fishes are enormous resources for human uses and biodiversity worldwide. However, anthropogenic climate change and factors such as dams and environmental contaminants threaten these freshwater systems. One way that researchers can address conservation issues in freshwater fishes is via integrative non-lethal movement research. We review different methods for studying movement, such as with acoustic telemetry. Methods for connecting movement and physiology are then reviewed, by using non-lethal tissue biopsies to assay environmental contaminants, isotope composition, protein metabolism, and gene expression. Methods for connecting movement and genetics are reviewed as well, such as by using population genetics or quantitative genetics and genome-wide association studies. We present further considerations for collecting molecular data, the ethical foundations of non-lethal sampling, integrative approaches to research, and management decisions. Ultimately, we argue that non-lethal sampling is effective for conducting integrative, movement-oriented research in freshwater fishes. This research has the potential for addressing critical issues in freshwater systems in the future.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Matt J. Thorstensen
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
6
|
Non-invasive sampling of water-borne hormones demonstrates individual consistency of the cortisol response to stress in laboratory zebrafish (Danio rerio). Sci Rep 2022; 12:6278. [PMID: 35428763 PMCID: PMC9012867 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-10274-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2022] [Accepted: 04/04/2022] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Glucocorticoid (GC) stress hormones are well-known for their impact on phenotypic traits ranging from immune function to behaviour and cognition. For that reason, consistent aspects of an individual’s physiological stress response (i.e. GC responsiveness) can predict major elements of life-history trajectory. Zebrafish (Danio rerio) emerge as a promising model to study such consistent trait correlations, including the development of individual stress coping styles, i.e. consistent associations between physiological and behavioral traits. However, consistency in GC responsiveness of this popular animal model remains to be confirmed. Such a study has so far been hampered by the small-bodied nature and insufficient blood volume of this species to provide repeated measurements of circulating GCs. Here, we adopted a technique that allows for repeated, non-invasive sampling of individual zebrafish by quantifying GCs from holding water. Our findings indicate consistency of the magnitude of post-stress GC production over several consecutive stress events in zebrafish. Moreover, water-borne GCs reflect individual variation in GC responsiveness with the strongest consistency seen in males.
Collapse
|
7
|
Vossen LE, Brunberg R, Rådén P, Winberg S, Roman E. The zebrafish Multivariate Concentric Square Field: A Standardized Test for Behavioral Profiling of Zebrafish (Danio rerio). Front Behav Neurosci 2022; 16:744533. [PMID: 35368300 PMCID: PMC8968638 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2022.744533] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2021] [Accepted: 01/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The zebrafish (Danio rerio) is an important model organism in the study of the neurobiological basis of human mental disorders. Yet the utility of this species is limited by the quality of the phenotypical characterization tools available. Here, we present a complex testing environment for the quantification of explorative behavior in adult zebrafish, the zebrafish Multivariate Concentric Square Field™ (zMCSF), adapted from the rodent equivalent that has been used in > 40 studies. The apparatus consists of a central open area which is surrounded by a dark corner with a roof (DCR), corridors, and an inclined ramp. These areas differ in illumination, water depth, and are sheltered or exposed to different degrees. We quantified behavior of male and female wild-caught and AB strain zebrafish in the zMCSF (day 1) and cross-validated these results using the novel tank diving test (NTDT) (day 2). To assess the effect of repeated testing, AB zebrafish we tested a second time in both tests 1 week later (on days 7 and 8). We detected strong differences between the strains, with wild zebrafish swimming faster and spending more time in the corridors and on the ramp, while they avoided the open area in the center. AB zebrafish were less hesitant to enter the center but avoided the ramp, and often left one or more zones unexplored. No major sex differences in exploratory behavior were detected in either strain, except for a slightly higher velocity of AB males which has been reported before. Importantly, the zMCSF was largely resilient to repeated testing. The diving test revealed only one difference confined to one sex; wild females paid more visits to the top third than AB females. In isolation, this finding could lead to the conclusion that wild zebrafish are more risk-taking, which is incorrect given this strain’s avoidance of open areas. To conclude, our results suggest that the zMCSF presents a sophisticated behavioral tool that can distinguish between different magnitudes and types of risk, allowing the user to create an intricate behavioral profile of individual adult zebrafish.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Laura E. Vossen
- Division of Anatomy and Physiology, Department of Anatomy, Physiology and Biochemistry, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden
- *Correspondence: Laura E. Vossen,
| | - Ronja Brunberg
- Neuropharmacology, Addiction and Behavior, Department of Pharmaceutical Biosciences, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Pontus Rådén
- Neuropharmacology, Addiction and Behavior, Department of Pharmaceutical Biosciences, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Svante Winberg
- Behavioral Neuroendocrinology, Department of Neuroscience, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
- Behavioral Neuroendocrinology, Department of Medical Cell Biology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Erika Roman
- Division of Anatomy and Physiology, Department of Anatomy, Physiology and Biochemistry, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden
- Neuropharmacology, Addiction and Behavior, Department of Pharmaceutical Biosciences, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Savson DJ, Zenilman SS, Smith CR, Daugherity EK, Singh B, Getchell RG. Comparison of Alfaxalone and Tricaine Methanesulfonate Immersion Anesthesia and Alfaxalone Residue Clearance in Rainbow Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss). Comp Med 2022; 72:181-194. [DOI: 10.30802/aalas-cm-22-000052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
Alfaxalone, a synthetic neuroactive steroid, has been tested as an immersion anesthetic in ornamental fish, but its safety and efficacy in sport fish have not been investigated. In the current study, we compared the physiologic and behavioral effects of alfaxalone with those of tricaine methanesulfonate (MS222) for anesthesia of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) via water immersion. We also analyzed alfaxalone-exposed tissues to determine residue clearance times. Fish were anesthetized for 10 min by immersion in low-dose alfaxalone (Alow; 5 mg/L induction, 1 mg/L maintenance), high-dose alfaxalone (Ahigh; 5 mg/L induction, 2 mg/L maintenance), or MS222 (MS; 150 mg/L induction, 100 mg/L maintenance). Fish received all 3 treatments, separated by a washout period of at least 18 d in a blinded, complete crossover design. We hypothesized that immersion in Alow or Ahigh would provide a stable plane of anesthesia in rainbow trout, with dose dependent time to recovery, and that opercular rates and depths of anesthesia would be equivalent to that of MS222. The time to anesthesia induction was longer for alfaxalone than MS222 but averaged less than 100 s. The time to recovery from anesthesia was also longer for alfaxalone than MS222, with significantly shorter recovery time for Alow than for Ahigh. All treatments decreased opercular rate and response to noxious stimuli. Alfaxalone residue clearance was greater than 80% from all tissues within 1 h, greater than 99% from muscle within 4 h, and 100% from all tissues within 36 h after exposure. We conclude that alfaxalone immersion at 5 mg/L for induction and 2 mg/L for maintenance provides a safe, viable alternative to MS222 for the anesthesia of rainbow trout.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Daniel J Savson
- Center for Animal Resources and Education, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
9
|
Mason D, Zajitschek S, Anwer H, O'Dea RE, Hesselson D, Nakagawa S. Low repeatability of aversive learning in zebrafish (Danio rerio). J Exp Biol 2021; 224:269009. [PMID: 34087936 DOI: 10.1242/jeb.240846] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2020] [Accepted: 04/23/2021] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Aversive learning - avoiding certain situations based on negative experiences - can profoundly increase fitness in animal species, yet no studies have systematically quantified its repeatability. Therefore, we assessed the repeatability of aversive learning by conditioning approximately 100 zebrafish (Danio rerio) to avoid a colour cue associated with a mild electric shock. Across eight different colour conditions, zebrafish did not show consistent individual differences in aversive learning (R=0.04). Within conditions, when zebrafish were conditioned to the same colour, blue conditioning was more repeatable than green conditioning (R=0.15 and R=0.02). Overall, aversive learning responses of zebrafish were weak and variable. We speculate that the effect of aversive learning might have been too weak to quantify consistent individual differences, or directional selection might have eroded additive genetic variance. We also discuss how confounded repeatability assays and publication bias could have inflated estimates of repeatability in the literature.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dominic Mason
- Evolution and Ecology Research Centre, School of Biological and Environmental Sciences , University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
| | - Susanne Zajitschek
- Evolution and Ecology Research Centre, School of Biological and Environmental Sciences , University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia.,School of Biological and Environmental Sciences , Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool L3 3AF, UK
| | - Hamza Anwer
- Evolution and Ecology Research Centre, School of Biological and Environmental Sciences , University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
| | - Rose E O'Dea
- Evolution and Ecology Research Centre, School of Biological and Environmental Sciences , University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
| | - Daniel Hesselson
- Diabetes and Metabolism Division, Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Sydney, NSW 2010, Australia.,St Vincent's Clinical School, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2010, Australia
| | - Shinichi Nakagawa
- Evolution and Ecology Research Centre, School of Biological and Environmental Sciences , University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Amoozadeh E, Malek M, Katouzian A, Sarafrazi A. Estimating population density of the medicinal leech Hirudo orientalis Utevsky and Trontelj, 2005 (Clitellata: Hirudinida) using Visible Implant Elastomer tags. J NAT HIST 2021. [DOI: 10.1080/00222933.2021.1874559] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Elham Amoozadeh
- School of Biology and Center of Excellence in Phylogeny of Living Organisms, College of Science, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Masoumeh Malek
- School of Biology and Center of Excellence in Phylogeny of Living Organisms, College of Science, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Ahmadreza Katouzian
- School of Biology and Center of Excellence in Phylogeny of Living Organisms, College of Science, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Alimorad Sarafrazi
- Department of Insect Taxonomy Research, Institute of Plant Protection
- IRIPP · Insect Taxonomy Research Department, Tehran, Iran
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Anwer H, Mason D, Zajitschek S, Noble DWA, Hesselson D, Morris MJ, Lagisz M, Nakagawa S. An efficient new assay for measuring zebrafish anxiety: Tall tanks that better characterize between-individual differences. J Neurosci Methods 2021; 356:109138. [PMID: 33753125 DOI: 10.1016/j.jneumeth.2021.109138] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2020] [Revised: 01/31/2021] [Accepted: 03/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Zebrafish (Danio rerio) are increasingly being used to model anxiety. A common behavioral assay employed for assessing anxiety-like behaviors in zebrafish is the "novel tank test". We hypothesized that using deeper tanks in this test would result in greater between-individual variation in behavioral responses and a more 'repeatable' assay. NEW METHODS After mapping the literature and identifying common behavioral parameters used in analysis, we performed novel tank anxiety tests in both custom-designed 'tall' tanks with increased depth and 'short' trapezoidal tanks. We compared the repeatability of the behavioral parameters between tall and short tanks and also investigated sex differences. RESULTS Overall, regardless of tank depth, almost all behavioral parameters associated with anxiety in zebrafish were significantly repeatable (R = 0.24 to 0.60). Importantly, our tall tanks better captured between-individual differences, resulting in higher repeatability estimates (average repeatability tall tanks: R = 0.46; average repeatability short tanks: R = 0.36) and clearer sex differences. CONCLUSIONS Our assay using tall tanks has advantages over tests based on short tanks which underestimate repeatability. We argue that use of deeper tanks will improve the reliability of behavioral data across studies using novel tank tests for zebrafish. Our results also call for increased attention in designing the most appropriate assay in biomedical and behavioral sciences as current methods may lack the sensitivity to detect subtle, yet important, information, such as between-individual variation, an important component in assessing the reliability of behavioral data.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hamza Anwer
- Evolution & Ecology Research Centre and School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia; Diabetes and Metabolism Division, Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Darlinghurst, Sydney, NSW, 2010, Australia.
| | - Dominic Mason
- Evolution & Ecology Research Centre and School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia; Diabetes and Metabolism Division, Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Darlinghurst, Sydney, NSW, 2010, Australia
| | - Susanne Zajitschek
- Evolution & Ecology Research Centre and School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia; Diabetes and Metabolism Division, Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Darlinghurst, Sydney, NSW, 2010, Australia; Liverpool John Moores University, School of Biological and Environmental Sciences, Liverpool, L3 3 AF, United Kingdom
| | - Daniel W A Noble
- Evolution & Ecology Research Centre and School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia; Division of Ecology and Evolution, Research School of Biology, The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, 0200, Australia
| | - Daniel Hesselson
- Diabetes and Metabolism Division, Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Darlinghurst, Sydney, NSW, 2010, Australia; Centenary Institute and Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2006, Australia
| | - Margaret J Morris
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medical Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia
| | - Malgorzata Lagisz
- Evolution & Ecology Research Centre and School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia; Diabetes and Metabolism Division, Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Darlinghurst, Sydney, NSW, 2010, Australia
| | - Shinichi Nakagawa
- Evolution & Ecology Research Centre and School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia; Diabetes and Metabolism Division, Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Darlinghurst, Sydney, NSW, 2010, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Identification of Individual Zebrafish ( Danio rerio): A Refined Protocol for VIE Tagging Whilst Considering Animal Welfare and the Principles of the 3Rs. Animals (Basel) 2021; 11:ani11030616. [PMID: 33652779 PMCID: PMC7996851 DOI: 10.3390/ani11030616] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2021] [Accepted: 02/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
In aquatic ecology, studies have commonly employed a tagging technique known as visible implant elastomer (VIE). This method has not been widely adopted by the zebrafish research community and also lacks refinement with regard to animal welfare. The current paper introduces a new VIE tagging protocol, with the aim of improving existing tagging techniques by placing particular emphasis on the Three Rs. To improve animal welfare and fish survival, we added the use of an analgesic compound (lidocaine) through the marking procedure, followed by after-treatment with antiseptics (melaleuca, aloe vera, and PVP-I as active ingredients) to improve tissue regeneration and healing. The newly improved protocol has been quantitatively evaluated on different populations and age groups of zebrafish. This study will be useful to the scientific zebrafish community and to the wider field including biologist and aquarists, especially in consideration of animal welfare, where tagging techniques are considered as a potential noxious stimulus for fish.
Collapse
|
13
|
Åsheim ER, Andreassen AH, Morgan R, Jutfelt F. Rapid-warming tolerance correlates with tolerance to slow warming but not growth at non-optimal temperatures in zebrafish. J Exp Biol 2020; 223:jeb229195. [PMID: 33071218 DOI: 10.1242/jeb.229195] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2020] [Accepted: 10/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Global warming is predicted to increase both acute and prolonged thermal challenges for aquatic ectotherms. Severe short- and medium-term thermal stress over hours to days may cause mortality, while longer sub-lethal thermal challenges may cause performance declines. The inter-relationship between the responses to short, medium and longer thermal challenges is unresolved. We asked if the same individuals are tolerant to both rapid and slow warming challenges, a question that has so far received little attention. Additionally, we investigated the possibility of a thermal syndrome where individuals in a population are distributed along a warm-type to cold-type axis. We tested whether different thermal traits correlate across individuals by acclimating 200 juvenile zebrafish (Danio rerio) to sub- or supra-optimal temperatures for growth (22 and 34°C) for 40 days and measuring growth and thermal tolerance at two different warming rates. We found that tolerance to rapid warming correlated with tolerance to slow warming in the 22°C treatment. However, individual tolerance to neither rapid nor slow warming correlated with growth at the supra-optimal temperature. We thus find some support for a syndrome-like organisation of thermal traits, but the lack of connection between tolerance and growth performance indicates a restricted generality of a thermal syndrome. The results suggest that tolerance to rapid warming may share underlying physiological mechanisms with tolerance to slower heating, and indicate that the relevance of acute critical thermal tolerance extends beyond the rapid ramping rates used to measure them.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Eirik R Åsheim
- Department of Biology, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, 7491 Trondheim, Norway
- Organismal and Evolutionary Biology Research Programme, Institute of Biotechnology, University of Helsinki, 00014 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Anna H Andreassen
- Department of Biology, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, 7491 Trondheim, Norway
| | - Rachael Morgan
- Department of Biology, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, 7491 Trondheim, Norway
| | - Fredrik Jutfelt
- Department of Biology, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, 7491 Trondheim, Norway
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Sex-specific responses to competitive environment in the mosquitofish Gambusia holbrooki. Evol Ecol 2020. [DOI: 10.1007/s10682-020-10080-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
|
15
|
Vossen LE, Cerveny D, Österkrans M, Thörnqvist PO, Jutfelt F, Fick J, Brodin T, Winberg S. Chronic Exposure to Oxazepam Pollution Produces Tolerance to Anxiolytic Effects in Zebrafish ( Danio rerio). ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2020; 54:1760-1769. [PMID: 31934760 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.9b06052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/14/2023]
Abstract
Environmental concentrations of the anxiolytic drug oxazepam have been found to disrupt antipredator behaviors of wild fish. Most experiments exposed fish for a week, while evidence from mammals suggests that chronic exposure to therapeutic concentrations of benzodiazepines (such as oxazepam) results in the development of tolerance to the anxiolytic effects. If tolerance can also develop in response to the low concentrations found in the aquatic environment, it could mitigate the negative effects of oxazepam pollution. In the current study, we exposed wild-caught zebrafish to oxazepam (∼7 μg L-1) for 7 or 28 days and evaluated behavioral and physiological parameters at both time points. Females showed reduced diving responses to conspecific alarm pheromone after 7 days, but not after 28 days, indicating that they had developed tolerance to the anxiolytic effects of the drug. Zebrafish males were not affected by this oxazepam concentration, in line with earlier results. Serotonin turnover (ratio 5-HIAA/5-HT) was reduced in exposed females and males after 28 days, indicating that brain neurochemistry had not normalized. Post-confinement cortisol concentrations and gene expression of corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) were not affected by oxazepam. We did not find evidence that chronically exposed fish had altered relative expression of GABAA receptor subunits, suggesting that some other still unknown mechanism caused the developed tolerance.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Laura E Vossen
- Department of Neuroscience , Uppsala University , SE-751 24 Uppsala , Sweden
| | - Daniel Cerveny
- Department of Chemistry , Umeå University , SE-901 87 Umeå , Sweden
- Faculty of Fisheries and Protection of Waters, South Bohemian Research Center of Aquaculture and Biodiversity of Hydrocenoses , University of South Bohemia in Ceske Budejovice , Zátiší 728/II , 389 25 Vodňany , Czech Republic
| | - Marcus Österkrans
- Department of Neuroscience , Uppsala University , SE-751 24 Uppsala , Sweden
| | - Per-Ove Thörnqvist
- Department of Neuroscience , Uppsala University , SE-751 24 Uppsala , Sweden
| | - Fredrik Jutfelt
- Department of Biology , Norwegian University of Science and Technology , EU2-167 Trondheim , Norway
| | - Jerker Fick
- Department of Chemistry , Umeå University , SE-901 87 Umeå , Sweden
| | - Tomas Brodin
- Department of Wildlife, Fish and Environmental Studies , Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences , SE-901 83 Umeå , Sweden
| | - Svante Winberg
- Department of Neuroscience , Uppsala University , SE-751 24 Uppsala , Sweden
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Platania SP, Mortensen JG, Farrington MA, Brandenburg WH, Dudley RK. DISPERSAL OF STOCKED RIO GRANDE SILVERY MINNOW (HYBOGNATHUS AMARUS) IN THE MIDDLE RIO GRANDE, NEW MEXICO. SOUTHWEST NAT 2020. [DOI: 10.1894/0038-4909-64-1-31] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Steven P. Platania
- American Southwest Ichthyological Researchers, L.L.C., 800 Encino Place NE, Albuquerque, NM 87102 (SPP, JGM, MAF, WHB, RKD)
| | - Jacob G. Mortensen
- American Southwest Ichthyological Researchers, L.L.C., 800 Encino Place NE, Albuquerque, NM 87102 (SPP, JGM, MAF, WHB, RKD)
| | - Michael A. Farrington
- American Southwest Ichthyological Researchers, L.L.C., 800 Encino Place NE, Albuquerque, NM 87102 (SPP, JGM, MAF, WHB, RKD)
| | - W. Howard Brandenburg
- American Southwest Ichthyological Researchers, L.L.C., 800 Encino Place NE, Albuquerque, NM 87102 (SPP, JGM, MAF, WHB, RKD)
| | - Robert K. Dudley
- American Southwest Ichthyological Researchers, L.L.C., 800 Encino Place NE, Albuquerque, NM 87102 (SPP, JGM, MAF, WHB, RKD)
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Riesco MF, Valcarce DG, Martínez-Vázquez JM, Robles V. Effect of low sperm quality on progeny: a study on zebrafish as model species. Sci Rep 2019; 9:11192. [PMID: 31371755 PMCID: PMC6671952 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-47702-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2019] [Accepted: 07/22/2019] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Nowadays a decrease tendency in human sperm quality has been reported mainly in developed countries. Reproductive technologies have been very valuable in achieving successful pregnancies with low quality sperm samples. However, considering that spermatozoa molecular contribution is increasingly important in recent studies, it is crucial to study whether fertilization with low sperm quality could leave a molecular mark on progeny. This study explores the consequences that fertilization with low sperm quality may have on progeny, using zebrafish as a model. Good and bad breeders were established attending to sperm quality analyses and were individually tracked. Significant differences in fertilization and malformation rates were obtained in progenies between high and low quality sperm samples. Moreover an altered miR profile was found in the progenies of bad zebrafish breeders (upregulation of miR-141 and miR -122 in 24 hpf embryos) and as a consequence, some of their targets involved in male sex development such as dmrt1, suffered downregulation. Our results indicate that fertilizing with high sperm quality samples becomes relevant from a new perspective: to avoid molecular alterations in the progeny that could remain masked and therefore produce unexpected consequences in it.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marta F Riesco
- IEO, Spanish Institute of Oceanography, Planta de Cultivos el Bocal, Santander, 39012, Spain
| | - David G Valcarce
- IEO, Spanish Institute of Oceanography, Planta de Cultivos el Bocal, Santander, 39012, Spain
| | | | - Vanesa Robles
- IEO, Spanish Institute of Oceanography, Planta de Cultivos el Bocal, Santander, 39012, Spain.
- MODCELL GROUP, Department of Molecular Biology, Universidad de León, 24071, León, Spain.
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Nguyen HT, Tran AT, Ha LTL, Ngo DN, Dang BT, Geffen AJ. Host choice and fitness of anemonefish Amphiprion ocellaris (Perciformes: Pomacentridae) living with host anemones (Anthozoa: Actiniaria) in captive conditions. JOURNAL OF FISH BIOLOGY 2019; 94:937-947. [PMID: 30676646 PMCID: PMC6850181 DOI: 10.1111/jfb.13910] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2018] [Accepted: 01/22/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
In this study, we investigated the host choice of naïve Amphiprion ocellaris, a specialist, at two different stages of development (newly settling juveniles and post-settlement juveniles). The fish were exposed to their natural and unnatural host species in the laboratory and their fitness was assessed in terms of activity and growth rate. Newly settling juveniles exhibited little host preference, while post-settlement juveniles immediately associated with their most common host in the wild. The analysis of fish activity confirmed that A. ocellaris is diurnal; they are most active in the morning, less at midday and barely move at night. The average travelling distance of juveniles was shorter in the groups living with their natural host, increasing in the groups living with an unnatural host and was highest in groups that did not become associated with any other unnatural host species. Post-settlement juveniles living with the natural host species grew better than those living with unnatural hosts or without anemone contact. These results suggest that the welfare of A. ocellaris in captivity will be optimized by keeping them with their natural anemone host species, although more generalist Amphiprion species may survive in association with other hosts.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hai‐Thanh T. Nguyen
- Department of Biological SciencesUniversity of BergenBergenNorway
- Institute of Biotechnology and EnvironmentNha Trang UniversityNha TrangVietnam
| | - A‐Nga T. Tran
- Institute of Biotechnology and EnvironmentNha Trang UniversityNha TrangVietnam
| | - Le Thi L. Ha
- Aquatechnology DepartmentInstitute of OceanographyNha TrangVietnam
| | - Dang N. Ngo
- Institute of Biotechnology and EnvironmentNha Trang UniversityNha TrangVietnam
| | - Binh T. Dang
- Institute of Biotechnology and EnvironmentNha Trang UniversityNha TrangVietnam
| | - Audrey J. Geffen
- Department of Biological SciencesUniversity of BergenBergenNorway
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Sloman KA, Bouyoucos IA, Brooks EJ, Sneddon LU. Ethical considerations in fish research. JOURNAL OF FISH BIOLOGY 2019; 94:556-577. [PMID: 30838660 DOI: 10.1111/jfb.13946] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2018] [Accepted: 03/01/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Fishes are used in a wide range of scientific studies, from conservation research with potential benefits to the species used to biomedical research with potential human benefits. Fish research can take place in both laboratories and field environments and methods used represent a continuum from non-invasive observations, handling, through to experimental manipulation. While some countries have legislation or guidance regarding the use of fish in research, many do not and there exists a diversity of scientific opinions on the sentience of fish and how we determine welfare. Nevertheless, there is a growing pressure on the scientific community to take more responsibility for the animals they work with through maximising the benefits of their research to humans or animals while minimising welfare or survival costs to their study animals. In this review, we focus primarily on the refinement of common methods used in fish research based on emerging knowledge with the aim of improving the welfare of fish used in scientific studies. We consider the use of anaesthetics and analgesics and how we mark individuals for identification purposes. We highlight the main ethical concerns facing researchers in both laboratory and field environments and identify areas that need urgent future research. We hope that this review will help inform those who wish to refine their ethical practices and stimulate thought among fish researchers for further avenues of refinement. Improved ethics and welfare of fishes will inevitably lead to increased scientific rigour and is in the best interests of both fishes and scientists.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Katherine A Sloman
- School of Health and Life Sciences, University of the West of Scotland, Paisley, UK
| | - Ian A Bouyoucos
- Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, James Cook University, Townsville, Australia
- PSL Research University, EPHE-UPVD-CNRS, USR 3278 CRIOBE, Université de Perpignan, Perpignan Cedex, France
| | - Edward J Brooks
- Cape Eleuthera Island School, Rock Sound, Eleuthera, The Bahamas
| | - Lynne U Sneddon
- Institute of Integrative Biology, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Chang CT, Lewis J, Whipps CM. Source or Sink: Examining the Role of Biofilms in Transmission of Mycobacterium spp. in Laboratory Zebrafish. Zebrafish 2019; 16:197-206. [PMID: 30835168 DOI: 10.1089/zeb.2018.1689] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Zebrafish health is a primary research concern because diseases can have unintended impacts on experimental endpoints. Ideally, research would be conducted using disease-free fish or fish with known disease status. Mycobacteriosis is a common bacterial disease in wild and captive fishes, including zebrafish. Despite its prevalence, the dynamics of transmission and potential sources of mycobacterial infections in zebrafish are only partially understood. One suspected natural infection source is surface biofilms on tanks and other system components. This study investigates the role that tank biofilms play in mycobacteriosis in laboratory zebrafish by evaluating the establishment of biofilms from bacteria shed from fish, and conversely, the acquisition of infections in fish from surface biofilms. We found that zebrafish infected with Mycobacterium chelonae shed bacteria through feces, and bacteria are transmitted to tank biofilms from one to 16 weeks postinfection. We also found that zebrafish acquire M. chelonae infections as soon as 2 weeks when introduced to tanks with established M. chelonae biofilms. The results from this study highlight the role that tank biofilms play as both a reservoir and source of mycobacterial infections in zebrafish. Results support the inclusion of biofilm surveillance and prevention as part of a disease control program in zebrafish research facilities.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Carolyn T Chang
- Department of Environment and Forest Biology, State University of New York College of Environmental Science, Syracuse, New York
| | - Jet'aime Lewis
- Department of Environment and Forest Biology, State University of New York College of Environmental Science, Syracuse, New York
| | - Christopher M Whipps
- Department of Environment and Forest Biology, State University of New York College of Environmental Science, Syracuse, New York
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Riley WD, Ibbotson AT, Gregory SD, Russell IC, Lauridsen RB, Beaumont WRC, Cook AC, Maxwell DL. Under what circumstances does the capture and tagging of wild Atlantic salmon Salmo salar smolts affect probability of return as adults? JOURNAL OF FISH BIOLOGY 2018; 93:477-489. [PMID: 29931783 DOI: 10.1111/jfb.13655] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2017] [Accepted: 05/24/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Adult return rates for wild Atlantic salmon Salmo salar smolts captured in a rotary screw trap and tagged with coded wire (CW) tags were compared with a control group, using detections from passive integrated transponder (PIT) antennae systems over 7 years in a small chalk stream in southern England, U.K. Compared with control smolts, capture and CW-tagging of experimental smolts affected detected return rates only under certain conditions, with a decreased return probability for smolts caught and tagged following mild winter river temperature anomalies and during the night. Similarly, analysis of the experimental smolts revealed that capture and CW-tagging following mild winters decreased their probability of return as adults. There were also marginal positive effects of length at PIT-tagging as parr and length at CW-tagging as smolts, on individual probability of return as adult. The results support the hypothesis that the effect of procedures involving the capture and tagging of migrating wild S. salar smolts will vary with the circumstances under which they are performed. The implications of the findings are considered in the context of ongoing investigations to derive and report marine return rates for S. salar in support of national and international stock assessments and in developing best practice.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- William D Riley
- The Centre for Environment, Fisheries & Aquaculture Science, Lowestoft Laboratory, Lowestoft, UK
| | - Anton T Ibbotson
- Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust, Salmon and Trout Research Centre, The River Laboratory, Wareham, UK
| | - Stephen D Gregory
- Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust, Salmon and Trout Research Centre, The River Laboratory, Wareham, UK
| | - Ian C Russell
- The Centre for Environment, Fisheries & Aquaculture Science, Lowestoft Laboratory, Lowestoft, UK
| | - Rasmus B Lauridsen
- Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust, Salmon and Trout Research Centre, The River Laboratory, Wareham, UK
| | - William R C Beaumont
- Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust, Salmon and Trout Research Centre, The River Laboratory, Wareham, UK
| | - Alastair C Cook
- The Centre for Environment, Fisheries & Aquaculture Science, Weymouth Laboratory, Weymouth, UK
| | - David L Maxwell
- The Centre for Environment, Fisheries & Aquaculture Science, Lowestoft Laboratory, Lowestoft, UK
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Ruberto T, Clément RJG, Spinello C, Neri D, Macrì S, Porfiri M. The Tagging Procedure of Visible Implant Elastomers Influences Zebrafish Individual and Social Behavior. Zebrafish 2018; 15:433-444. [PMID: 30070967 DOI: 10.1089/zeb.2018.1616] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
One commonly used method to preserve individual identity in the study of social behavior of zebrafish is through silicone-based visible implant elastomers (VIEs), which represent a safe and durable tagging procedure. While the effects of VIE tagging on welfare and general health have been addressed in detail, whether this procedure influences social behavior remains unclear. In this study, we compared individual and group behaviors exhibited by shoals composed of three individuals: two nontagged and one (focal subject) that was either nontagged (control condition) or sham-, purple-, blue-, or yellow tagged. Traditional behavioral parameters of activity, shoaling, and schooling (speed, polarization, and interindividual distances), along with an information-theoretic measure of social interaction (transfer entropy), were used to study the effect of tagging. Our findings indicate that tagging procedure per se significantly increased individual speed of the tagged subjects and of the group. The tagging procedure also altered the level of interaction between individuals, measured by transfer entropy. Conversely, tagging procedure did not influence shoaling and schooling tendencies. These findings suggest that VIE tagging may elicit some level of stress, which may affect some behavioral responses more than others. We recommend use of alternative methods such as multitracking systems when possible.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tommaso Ruberto
- 1 Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, New York University Tandon School of Engineering , Brooklyn, New York
| | - Romain J G Clément
- 1 Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, New York University Tandon School of Engineering , Brooklyn, New York
| | - Chiara Spinello
- 1 Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, New York University Tandon School of Engineering , Brooklyn, New York
| | - Daniele Neri
- 1 Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, New York University Tandon School of Engineering , Brooklyn, New York
| | - Simone Macrì
- 2 Centre for Behavioural Sciences and Mental Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità , Roma, Italy
| | - Maurizio Porfiri
- 1 Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, New York University Tandon School of Engineering , Brooklyn, New York
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Abstract
Critical thermal maximum (CTmax) is a commonly and increasingly used measure of an animal's upper thermal tolerance limit. However, it is unknown how consistent CTmax is within an individual, and how physiologically taxing such experiments are. We addressed this by estimating the repeatability of CTmax in zebrafish, and measured how growth and survival were affected by multiple trials. The repeatability of CTmax over four trials was 0.22 (0.07-0.43). However, CTmax increased from the first to the second trial, likely because of thermal acclimation triggered by the heat shock. After this initial acclimation response individuals became more consistent in their CTmax, reflected in a higher repeatability measure of 0.45 (0.28-0.65) for trials 2-4. We found a high innate thermal tolerance led to a lower acclimation response, whereas a high acclimation response was present in individuals that displayed a low initial CTmax. This could indicate that different strategies for thermal tolerance (i.e. plasticity vs. high innate tolerance) can co-exist in a population. Additionally, repeated CTmax trials had no effect on growth, and survival was high (99%). This validates the method and, combined with the relatively high repeatability, highlights the relevance of CTmax for continued use as a metric for acute thermal tolerance.
Collapse
|
24
|
Peneyra SM, Cardona-Costa J, White J, Whipps CM, Riedel ER, Lipman NS, Lieggi C. Transmission of Pseudoloma neurophilia in Laboratory Zebrafish (Danio rerio) When Using Mass Spawning Chambers and Recommendations for Chamber Disinfection. Zebrafish 2017; 15:63-72. [PMID: 29048998 DOI: 10.1089/zeb.2017.1493] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Pseudoloma neurophilia, a microsporidium that primarily infects neural tissues, is a common pathogen in laboratory zebrafish. The risk of parasite transmission with different spawning apparatuses and the effectiveness of disinfection are unknown. In this study, we spawned uninfected zebrafish with P. neurophilia-infected zebrafish in either 50 L mass spawning chambers (MSCs) or 1 L standard breeding tanks (BTs). Fish were spawned once or thrice, with and without chamber disinfection between uses, to evaluate risk of vertical and horizontal transmission. Six disinfection protocols were tested to determine which effectively eliminated residual spores. We demonstrated that three consecutive uses of an MSC significantly increased the risk of transmission to other fish when compared to the use of BTs or only one spawning event in an MSC (both p < 0.0001). Vertical transmission was not detected with any method. Disinfection with ∼100 ppm bleach soak (pH ∼7.0), 75 ppm Wescodyne® soak, and 175 ppm Wescodyne Plus spray was 100% effective in eliminating spores from the MSCs. Disinfection of MSCs before spawning did not decrease P. neurophilia transmission when infected fish remained present in the breeding population. Researchers should avoid using endemically infected fish in MSCs to minimize transmission of pathogens within their colonies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Samantha M Peneyra
- 1 Tri-Institutional Training Program in Laboratory Animal Medicine and Science , New York, New York.,2 Center of Comparative Medicine and Pathology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center and Weill Cornell Medicine , New York, New York
| | - Jose Cardona-Costa
- 2 Center of Comparative Medicine and Pathology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center and Weill Cornell Medicine , New York, New York
| | - Julie White
- 1 Tri-Institutional Training Program in Laboratory Animal Medicine and Science , New York, New York.,2 Center of Comparative Medicine and Pathology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center and Weill Cornell Medicine , New York, New York
| | - Christopher M Whipps
- 3 Department of Environment and Forest Biology, State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry , Syracuse, New York
| | - Elyn R Riedel
- 4 Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center , New York, New York
| | - Neil S Lipman
- 1 Tri-Institutional Training Program in Laboratory Animal Medicine and Science , New York, New York.,2 Center of Comparative Medicine and Pathology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center and Weill Cornell Medicine , New York, New York
| | - Christine Lieggi
- 1 Tri-Institutional Training Program in Laboratory Animal Medicine and Science , New York, New York.,2 Center of Comparative Medicine and Pathology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center and Weill Cornell Medicine , New York, New York
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Kenney JW, Scott IC, Josselyn SA, Frankland PW. Contextual fear conditioning in zebrafish. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2017; 24:516-523. [PMID: 28916626 PMCID: PMC5602349 DOI: 10.1101/lm.045690.117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2017] [Accepted: 05/30/2017] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Zebrafish are a genetically tractable vertebrate that hold considerable promise for elucidating the molecular basis of behavior. Although numerous recent advances have been made in the ability to precisely manipulate the zebrafish genome, much less is known about many aspects of learning and memory in adult fish. Here, we describe the development of a contextual fear conditioning paradigm using an electric shock as the aversive stimulus. We find that contextual fear conditioning is modulated by shock intensity, prevented by an established amnestic agent (MK-801), lasts at least 14 d, and exhibits extinction. Furthermore, fish of various background strains (AB, Tu, and TL) are able to acquire fear conditioning, but differ in fear extinction rates. Taken together, we find that contextual fear conditioning in zebrafish shares many similarities with the widely used contextual fear conditioning paradigm in rodents. Combined with the amenability of genetic manipulation in zebrafish, we anticipate that our paradigm will prove to be a useful complementary system in which to examine the molecular basis of vertebrate learning and memory.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Justin W Kenney
- Program in Neurosciences and Mental Health, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, M5G 1X8, Canada
| | - Ian C Scott
- Program in Development and Stem Cell Biology, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, M5G 1X8, Canada
| | - Sheena A Josselyn
- Program in Neurosciences and Mental Health, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, M5G 1X8, Canada.,Department of Physiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, M5S 1A8, Canada.,Department of Psychology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, M5S 1A8, Canada.,Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, M5S 1A8, Canada
| | - Paul W Frankland
- Program in Neurosciences and Mental Health, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, M5G 1X8, Canada.,Department of Physiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, M5S 1A8, Canada.,Department of Psychology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, M5S 1A8, Canada.,Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, M5S 1A8, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Branco P, Amaral SD, Ferreira MT, Santos JM. Do small barriers affect the movement of freshwater fish by increasing residency? THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2017; 581-582:486-494. [PMID: 28082054 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2016.12.156] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2016] [Revised: 12/22/2016] [Accepted: 12/22/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
River fragmentation due to artificial barriers directly impacts fish communities by limiting migratory movements. This work aims to understand how small barriers affect the movements of a potamodromous cyprinid species - the Iberian barbel (Luciobarbus bocagei (Steindachner, 1864)) - in a 5.6km upstream segment of a stream impacted only by the presence of physical barriers. Fish were marked with Visible Implant Elastomer tags (VIE), and barriers were seasonally characterized. A total of 683 fish were tagged, with 104 recaptures, during five sampling seasons (spring 2012 - early summer 2013). Eleven of the recaptured fish moved past a barrier, without any preference in terms of direction of movement. There were no differences in length, either between migrants and residents, or between upstream and downstream migrants. The results show that although barbel are able to negotiate small barriers, part of the population did not move between fragmented reaches - an indication that under such conditions, fish species populations may adjust their life-history strategy to augment residency as it was hypothesized from the results.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Paulo Branco
- CEF - Forest Research Centre, Instituto Superior de Agronomia, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal; CEris - Civil Engineering for Research and Innovation for Sustainability, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal.
| | - Susana D Amaral
- CEF - Forest Research Centre, Instituto Superior de Agronomia, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Maria T Ferreira
- CEF - Forest Research Centre, Instituto Superior de Agronomia, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - José M Santos
- CEF - Forest Research Centre, Instituto Superior de Agronomia, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
White S, Kells T, Wilson A. Metabolism, personality and pace of life in the Trinidadian guppy, Poecilia reticulata. BEHAVIOUR 2016. [DOI: 10.1163/1568539x-00003375] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
While among-individual variation in behaviour, or personality, is common across taxa, its mechanistic underpinnings are poorly understood. The Pace of Life syndrome (POLS) provides one possible explanation for maintenance of personality differences. POLS predicts that metabolic differences will covary with behavioural variation, with high metabolism associated with risk prone behaviour and ‘faster’ life histories (e.g., high growth, early maturation). We used a repeated measures approach, assaying metabolic traits (rate and scope), behaviour and growth to test these predictions in the Trinidadian guppy, Poecilia reticulata. We found that while individuals varied significantly in their behaviour and growth rate, more risk prone individuals did not grow significantly faster. Furthermore, after accounting for body size there was no support for among-individual variation in metabolic traits. Thus, while personality differences are clearly present in this population, they do not covary with metabolism and the POLS framework is not supported.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- S.J. White
- Centre for Ecology and Conservation, University of Exeter (Penryn Campus), Treliever Road, Penryn, Cornwall TR10 9FE, UK
| | - T.J. Kells
- Centre for Ecology and Conservation, University of Exeter (Penryn Campus), Treliever Road, Penryn, Cornwall TR10 9FE, UK
| | - A.J. Wilson
- Centre for Ecology and Conservation, University of Exeter (Penryn Campus), Treliever Road, Penryn, Cornwall TR10 9FE, UK
| |
Collapse
|
28
|
Abstract
Aggression is a complex behavior that influences social relationships and can be seen as adaptive or maladaptive depending on the context and intensity of expression. A model organism suitable for genetic dissection of the underlying neural mechanisms of aggressive behavior is still needed. Zebrafish has already proven to be a powerful vertebrate model organism for the study of normal and pathological brain function. Despite the fact that zebrafish is a gregarious species that forms shoals, when allowed to interact in pairs, both males and females express aggressive behavior and establish dominance hierarchies. Here, we describe two protocols that can be used to quantify aggressive behavior in zebrafish, using two different paradigms: (1) staged fights between real opponents and (2) mirror-elicited fights. We also discuss the methodology for the behavior analysis, the expected results for both paradigms, and the advantages and disadvantages of each paradigm in face of the specific goals of the study.
Collapse
|
29
|
Conradsen C, Walker JA, Perna C, McGuigan K. Repeatability of locomotor performance and of morphology – locomotor performance relationships. J Exp Biol 2016; 219:2888-2897. [DOI: 10.1242/jeb.141259] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2016] [Accepted: 07/05/2016] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
There is good evidence that natural selection drives the evolution of locomotor performance, but the processes that generate among individual variation in locomotion, the substrate upon which selection acts, are relatively poorly understood. We measured prolonged swimming performance, Ucrit, and morphology in a large cohort (n=461) of wildtype zebrafish, Danio rerio, at ∼6 months and again at ∼9 months. Using mixed model analyses to estimate repeatability as the intraclass correlation coefficient, we determined that Ucrit was significantly repeatable (r = 0.55; 95% CI: 0.45 -0.64). Performance differences between the sexes (males 12% faster than females) and changes with age (decreasing 0.07% per day) both contributed to variation in Ucrit and, therefore, the repeatability estimate. Accounting for mean differences between sexes within the model decreased the estimate of Ucrit repeatability to 21% below the naïve estimate, while fitting age in the models increased the estimate to 14% above the naïve estimate. Greater consideration of factors such as age and sex is therefore necessary for the interpretation of performance repeatability in wild populations. Body shape significantly predicted Ucrit in both sexes in both assays, with the morphology – performance relationship significantly repeatable at the population level. However, morphology was more strongly predicative of performance in older fish, suggesting a change in the contribution of morphology relative to other factors such as physiology and behaviour. The morphology – performance relationship changed with age to a greater extent in males than females.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Cara Conradsen
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Queensland, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Jeffrey A. Walker
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Southern Maine, Portland, Maine 04103, USA
| | - Catherine Perna
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Queensland, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Katrina McGuigan
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Queensland, QLD 4072, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
30
|
Frommen J, Hanak S, Schmidl C, Thünken T. Visible Implant Elastomer tagging influences social preferences of zebrafish (Danio rerio). BEHAVIOUR 2015. [DOI: 10.1163/1568539x-00003303] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Identification of individuals is a prerequisite in many behavioural studies. Visible Implant Elastomer (VIE) colour tags are a well-established way to mark animals. VIE tagging does not seem to affect individual growth or survival. However, studies verifying their neutrality during social interactions are less common. Here, individual male and female zebrafish Danio rerio were simultaneously given the choice between two shoals, each consisting of six fish. Members of one shoal were uniformly marked with one VIE tag of a given colour, whereas the other shoal was sham-tagged. In total, 10 different colours were used. Test fish spent significantly more time near the tagged shoal (56%) than near the sham-tagged shoal (44%). Tag colour did not significantly influence the preferences. The results highlight the importance of confirming the neutrality of colour tags before using them in behavioural studies. Especially, our study advises caution when using marked and unmarked fish simultaneously.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Joachim G. Frommen
- aDepartment of Behavioural Ecology, Institute of Ecology and Evolution, University of Bern, Wohlenstrasse 50a, 3032 Hinterkappelen, Switzerland
- bDepartment of Integrative Biology and Evolution, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Savoyenstr. 1a, 1160 Vienna, Austria
| | - Sophie Hanak
- bDepartment of Integrative Biology and Evolution, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Savoyenstr. 1a, 1160 Vienna, Austria
| | - Christina A. Schmidl
- bDepartment of Integrative Biology and Evolution, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Savoyenstr. 1a, 1160 Vienna, Austria
| | - Timo Thünken
- aDepartment of Behavioural Ecology, Institute of Ecology and Evolution, University of Bern, Wohlenstrasse 50a, 3032 Hinterkappelen, Switzerland
| |
Collapse
|