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A comparison of single and multiple stressor protocols to assess acute stress in a coastal shark species, Rhizoprionodon terraenovae

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Abstract

Elasmobranch stress responses are traditionally measured in the field by either singly or serially sampling an animal after a physiologically stressful event. Although capture and handling techniques are effective at inducing a stress response, differences in protocols could affect the degree of stress experienced by an individual, making meaningful comparisons between the protocols difficult, if not impossible. This study acutely stressed Atlantic sharpnose sharks, Rhizoprionodon terraenovae, by standardized capture (rod and reel) and handling methods and implemented either a single or serial blood sampling protocol to monitor four indicators of the secondary stress response. Single-sampled sharks were hooked and allowed to swim around the boat until retrieved for a blood sample at either 0, 15, 30, 45, or 60 min post-hooking. Serially sampled sharks were retrieved, phlebotomized, released while still hooked, and subsequently resampled at 15, 30, 45, and 60 min intervals post-hooking. Blood was analyzed for hematocrit, and plasma glucose, lactate, and osmolality levels. Although both single and serial sampling protocols resulted in an increase in glucose, no significant difference in glucose level was found between protocols. Serially sampled sharks exhibited cumulatively heightened levels for lactate and osmolality at all time intervals when compared to single-sampled animals at the same time. Maximal concentration differences of 217.5, 9.8, and 41.6 % were reported for lactate, osmolality, and glucose levels, respectively. Hematocrit increased significantly over time for the single sampling protocol but did not change significantly during the serial sampling protocol. The differences in resultant blood chemistry levels between implemented stress protocols and durations are significant and need to be considered when assessing stress in elasmobranchs.

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Acknowledgments

Financial support for this project was partially provided by the National Marine Fisheries Service (MARFIN # NA77FF0548) to G. Parsons. Sampling protocols were approved by the University of Mississippi’s Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (# 99–006). This project would not have been possible without the help of many volunteers. We would like to thank J. Bartlett, J. Horton, K. Larsen, G. Gray, R. Hoffmayer, A. Lee, D. Drury, R. McCall, G. Zapfe, and W. Dempster for their assistance in the field. We also thank M.S. Peterson, J.S. Franks, and G. Pellegrin for their critical review and advice on this manuscript.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biology, University of Mississippi, University, MS, 38677, USA

    Eric R. Hoffmayer & Glenn R. Parsons

  2. National Marine Fisheries Service, Southeast Fisheries Science Center, Mississippi Laboratories, 3209 Frederic Street, Pascagoula, MS, 39567, USA

    Eric R. Hoffmayer, William B. Driggers III & Matthew D. Campbell

  3. Center for Fisheries Research and Development, Gulf Coast Research Laboratory, The University of Southern Mississippi, 703 East Beach Drive, Ocean Springs, MS, 39564, USA

    Jill M. Hendon

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  1. Eric R. Hoffmayer
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  2. Jill M. Hendon
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  3. Glenn R. Parsons
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  4. William B. Driggers III
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  5. Matthew D. Campbell
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Correspondence to Eric R. Hoffmayer.

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Hoffmayer, E.R., Hendon, J.M., Parsons, G.R. et al. A comparison of single and multiple stressor protocols to assess acute stress in a coastal shark species, Rhizoprionodon terraenovae . Fish Physiol Biochem 41, 1253–1260 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10695-015-0083-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10695-015-0083-4

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