Sub-lethal increases in salinity affect reproduction in fathead minnows

• Published in: The Science of the total environment 2013-10, Vol.463-464, p.334-339
• Main Authors: Hoover, Zachary, Weisgerber, Jordan N., Pollock, Michael S., Chivers, Douglas P., Ferrari, Maud C.O.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animals; Cyprinidae - metabolism; Cyprinidae - physiology; Ecosystems; Fathead minnow; Female; Fertilization; Fertilization - drug effects; Fish; Freshwater; Male; Males; Nesting Behavior - drug effects; Oviposition - drug effects; Pimephales promelas; Reproduction; Reproduction - drug effects; Salinity; Salinization; Sub-lethal effects; Survival; Tolerances; Water Pollutants, Chemical - adverse effects
• ISSN: 0048-9697; 1879-1026
• DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2013.06.046

Salinization poses a threat to many inland aquatic ecosystems, especially in areas where natural processes are compounded by anthropogenic salinization. Though physiological survival can be a challenge for stenohaline freshwater fishes facing increasing salinity, it is important to note that essential and complex activities such as reproduction may be affected well below physiological tolerance limits. Here, we exposed fathead minnows (Pimephales promelas) to four levels of salinity in order to assess any impacts on several egg production and behavioral endpoints. We found significant reductions in total eggs produced, percent fertilization, number of spawning days, clutch size, total time males spent in the nest, and duration of nest care events. Our data demonstrate that salinization can have negative effects on critical reproductive endpoints. •We exposed minnows to four levels of salinity to determine any reproductive effects.•A number of egg-based and behavioral endpoints were measured.•Minnow reproductive endpoints were negatively affected by salinity.•Negative impacts were present well below physiological tolerance limits.