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Behavioural thermoregulation in a temperature-sensitive coral reef fish, the five-lined cardinalfish (Cheilodipterus quinquelineatus)

Coral Reefs volume 34, pages 1261–1265 (2015)Cite this article

Abstract

As global temperatures increase, fish populations at low latitudes are thought to be at risk as they are adapted to narrow temperature ranges and live at temperatures close to their thermal tolerance limits. Behavioural movements, based on a preference for a specific temperature (T pref), may provide a strategy to cope with changing conditions. A temperature-sensitive coral reef cardinalfish (Cheilodipterus quinquelineatus) was exposed to 28 °C (average at collection site) or 32 °C (predicted end-of-century) for 6 weeks. T pref was determined using a shuttlebox system, which allowed fish to behaviourally manipulate their thermal environment. Regardless of treatment temperature, fish preferred 29.5 ± 0.25 °C, approximating summer average temperatures in the wild. However, 32 °C fish moved more frequently to correct their thermal environment than 28 °C fish, and daytime movements were more frequent than night-time movements. Understanding temperature-mediated movements is imperative for predicting how ocean warming will influence coral reef species and distribution patterns.

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Acknowledgments

Thanks are due to C. Gervais for editorial assistance, the staff of the Marine and Aquatic Research Facilities Unit (MARFU) at JCU for help with infrastructure and logistical support, SOLEX Townsville for technical support, and Erin Walsh for fish illustrations. We are also appreciative to the anonymous reviewers for their critical and helpful comments and suggestions. This work was supported by an ARC Super Science Fellowship and ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies research allocation to J.L.R. All animal collections were conducted under Marine Parks Permit #G10/33239.1. All animal care and experimental protocols were approved by JCU ethics approval A2089.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD, 4811, Australia

    Tiffany J. Nay, Adam Habary & Jodie L. Rummer

  2. College of Marine and Environmental Sciences, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD, 4811, Australia

    Tiffany J. Nay

  3. Department of Marine Science, University of Texas, Marine Science Institute, Port Aransas, Texas, 78373-5015, USA

    Jacob L. Johansen

  4. Marine Biological Section, Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Strandpromenaden 5, 3000, Helsingør, Denmark

    Adam Habary & John F. Steffensen

Authors
  1. Tiffany J. Nay
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  2. Jacob L. Johansen
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  3. Adam Habary
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  4. John F. Steffensen
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  5. Jodie L. Rummer
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Correspondence to Tiffany J. Nay.

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Communicated by Ecology Editor Dr. Michael Berumen

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Nay, T.J., Johansen, J.L., Habary, A. et al. Behavioural thermoregulation in a temperature-sensitive coral reef fish, the five-lined cardinalfish (Cheilodipterus quinquelineatus). Coral Reefs 34, 1261–1265 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00338-015-1353-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00338-015-1353-4

Keywords

  • Behavioural thermoregulation
  • Temperature preference
  • Temperature sensitivity