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Do mitochondrial properties explain intraspecific variation in thermal tolerance?

Nann A Fangue1, Jeffrey G Richards, Patricia M Schulte

  • 1Department of Zoology, University of British Columbia, 6270 University Boulevard, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4, Canada. fangue@lifesci.ucsb.edu

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Northern killifish show increased mitochondrial capacity when cold-acclimated, enhancing their ability to adapt to colder environments. This adaptation, however, correlates with reduced tolerance to high temperatures.

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Area of Science:

  • Physiological ecology
  • Mitochondrial biology
  • Climate change adaptation

Background:

  • Rising global temperatures necessitate understanding organismal thermal niches.
  • Mitochondrial capacity is crucial for metabolic rate and thermal tolerance.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To test if increased mitochondrial capacity with cold acclimation reduces thermal tolerance.
  • To compare mitochondrial function and thermal niche between two killifish subspecies.

Main Methods:

  • Assessed whole-organism metabolic rate and mitochondrial function in killifish.
  • Measured mitochondrial enzyme activities and mRNA levels.
  • Analyzed mitochondrial oxygen consumption rates at various temperatures.

Main Results:

  • Northern killifish exhibited greater mitochondrial enzyme activity and mRNA levels, especially when cold-acclimated.
  • Cold-acclimated northern fish showed higher mitochondrial respiration at low temperatures but lower at high temperatures.
  • Northern subspecies had higher whole-organism metabolic rates across acclimation temperatures.

Conclusions:

  • Mitochondrial function plasticity differs between killifish subspecies.
  • The northern subspecies, adapted to colder climates, has a greater capacity for mitochondrial increases in the cold.
  • Differences in mitochondrial properties were minimal at warm temperatures despite variations in thermal tolerance.