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Upper temperature tolerance of spot,Leiostomus xanthurus, from the cape Fear River estuary, North Carolina

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Abstract

The temperature tolerance and resistance times of postlarval (<25 mm SL) and small juvenile spot,Leiostomus xanthurus, from the Cape Fear Estuary, North Carolina were tested in the laboratory. Critical thermal maximum techniques were used to determine first equilibrium loss (FEL) and critical thermal maximum (CTM) end points and thermal shock methods were used to determine 96-h upper incipient lethal temperatures (LT50). Acclimation temperatures ranged from 10 to 35°C and acclimation salinities were 10, 20 and 30‰. A quadratics model was fit to the CTM and FEL data; r2 values were 0.924 and 0.928 respectively. Acclimation salinity, estimated weight, acclimation salinity by acclimation temperature interaction and acclimation temperature by estimated weight interaction were the significant components of the CTM model. Predicted CTM values ranged from 30°C at 10 °C and 30‰ acclimation to just over 40°C at 30 °C and 30‰ acclimation.

Acclimation temperature, acclimation temperature squared, estimated weight and acclimation temperatures by estimated weight interaction were the significant components of the FEL model. Predicted FEL values ranged from around 28°C at 10°C and 10‰ acclimation to about 39°C at 30°C and 30‰ acclimation.

The 96-h LT50 values of spot acclimated to 20‰ increased linearly with acclimation temperature to 25°C. From about 25 to 35°C, LT50 values increased very little with acclimation temperature. The ultimate upper incipient lethal temperature of postlarval and small juvenile spot was estimated at 35.2°C. Increased salinity increased resistance time but decreased LT50 estimates. Thermal shock tests were better for predicting the effects of thermal addition than were CTM tests.

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Author notes

  1. Robert G. Fechhelm

    Present address: Department of Wildlife & Fisheries Science, Texas A&M University, 77840, College Station, Texas

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Zoology, North Carolina State University, 27650, Raleigh, North Carolina

    Ronald G. Hodson & Robert G. Fechhelm

  2. Department of Statistics, North Carolina Station University, 27650, Raleigh, North Carolina

    Robert J. Monroe

Authors
  1. Ronald G. Hodson
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  2. Robert G. Fechhelm
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  3. Robert J. Monroe
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Hodson, R.G., Fechhelm, R.G. & Monroe, R.J. Upper temperature tolerance of spot,Leiostomus xanthurus, from the cape Fear River estuary, North Carolina. Estuaries 4, 345–356 (1981). https://doi.org/10.2307/1352159

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