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An increased scope for thermal tolerance upon acclimating pupfish (Cyprinodon) to cycling temperatures

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Summary

Pupfish (Cyprinodon nevadensis amargosae), which inhabit shallow, thermally instabile desert waters were acclimated to a series of constant temperatures (15, 25 and 35 ° C) and to a symmetrical fluctuating temperature regime (15–35 ° C). A range or scope of thermal tolerance of 39 ° C between critical thermal maxima and minima exists for this species (Fig. 1). Upon acclimation to cycling temperatures, this tolerance range increased significantly to almost 41 ° C (Fig. 2). Hence, these fish can apparently compensate physiologically for both warm and cold temperatures simultaneously.

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Robert Feldmeth, C., Stone, E.A. & Brown, J.H. An increased scope for thermal tolerance upon acclimating pupfish (Cyprinodon) to cycling temperatures. J. Comp. Physiol. 89, 39–44 (1974). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00696161

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00696161

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