Acidification affects the early development of Colombian endemic fish Prochilodus magdalenae

There is a significant knowledge gap regarding the acidification of freshwater ecosystems and its effects on biological systems. The bocachico (Prochilodus magdalenae), an endemic and migratory species vital to Colombia's inland fisheries, is currently classified as vulnerable. This study evaluated the impact of different pH levels (6.2, 7.2, and 7.6), previously recorded in the species' natural habitat, on its early development. Using an automated IKS Aquastar system, embryo incubation and larval maintenance were monitored from 0 to 5 days post-fertilization, assessing development, hatching, and survival at both organismal and transcriptional levels. Embryos exposed to pH 6.2 showed delayed development within 4 h post-fertilization, the lowest hatching rate (68.33 ± 3.13 %), and survival (23.88 ± 4.53 %), along with the highest incidence of malformations (37.80 ± 4.4 %). The pH 7.6 group also showed adverse effects, but to a lesser extent. Transcriptome analysis revealed a distinct molecular response in the pH 6.2 group, identifying 1214 differentially expressed genes related to early development, ossification, organ formation, sensory systems, and cellular processes. The findings indicate that pH fluctuations previously observed in the species' natural environment significantly affect P. magdalenae during early life stages, which raises serious concerns about the long-term viability of this endemic species and the sustainability of the artisanal fisheries that depend on it.