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Reduced exploration capacity despite brain volume increase in warm-acclimated common minnow
Libor Závorka1,2, Barbara Koeck3, Tiffany A Armstrong3
1Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health & Comparative Medicine, Graham Kerr Building, College of Medical, Veterinary & Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8QQ, UK liborzavorka@email.cz.
The Journal of Experimental Biology
|May 17, 2020
Summary
Warming increases fish brain size and energy use but impairs maze-solving ability. This suggests a trade-off between aerobic scope and cognitive function in warmer aquatic environments.
Area of Science:
- Physiology
- Neuroscience
- Ecology
Background:
- Warming impacts ectotherm cognition, but mechanisms are unclear.
- Metabolic responses to warming may alter brain structure and function.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate how acclimation to warmer water affects common minnow metabolism, brain morphology, and maze-solving behavior.
- To explore potential trade-offs between aerobic scope and cognitive performance under thermal stress.
Main Methods:
- Common minnows were acclimated to 14°C or 20°C for 8 months.
- Aerobic metabolism, brain volume, boldness, and maze-solving accuracy were measured.
- Brain regions, particularly the dorsal medulla, were analyzed relative to overall brain size.
Main Results:
- Warm-acclimated fish showed higher metabolic rates and maintained aerobic scope.
- Warm-acclimated fish had larger brains, with a proportionally larger dorsal medulla.
- Fish in warmer water made more errors in maze exploration, indicating impaired cognitive function.
Conclusions:
- Maintaining high aerobic scope in warmer environments may necessitate changes in brain morphology.
- This can lead to impaired cognitive abilities, such as spatial exploration, potentially impacting fitness.
- A trade-off exists between energy allocation for physical performance and cognitive function in ectotherms facing warming.
