Marine Climate Impacts and Adaptation
Profile
: Jennifer M. Donelson
Phd Student
Climate change and the future for coral reef fishes: impacts
and adaptation
Changes to the ocean’s temperature is likely to have
significant effects on the reproductive capacity of fishes
and the growth and survival of their offspring, with potentially
serious consequences for the sustainability of fish populations.
Ultimately, however, it is the potential for species to acclimate
and adapt to climate change that will set the boundaries for
future population characteristics. Jenni will investigate the
effects of sea water temperature on a common coral reef fish,
over temperature ranges likely to be experienced by natural
populations over the next 50-100 years. Replicate lineages
will be reared through successive generations at each of the
three focal temperatures (current, +1.5oC and +3.0oC) and the
reproductive performance of adults and life history attributes
of the offspring will be tested at current-day and elevated
temperatures in each generation. Some reef fishes appear to
have considerable potential for short-term acclimation to increased
ocean temperature, but whether this will affect the fitness
of their offspring and how quickly favourable traits will be
transferred between generations is currently unknown.
Supervisors:
Related:
Publications:
Munday PL, Donelson JM, Dixson DL, Endo G (2009) Effects
of ocean acidification on the early life history of a tropical
marine fish. Proc R Soc Lond B, 276:3275-3283 (doi:
10.1098/rspb.2009.0784). Abstract available at http://rspb.royalsocietypublishing.org/content/early/2009/06/24/
rspb.2009.0784
Donelson JM, Munday PL, McCormick MI, Pankhurst NW, Pankhurst PM (in press) Effects
of elevated water temperature and food availability on the reproductive performance
of a coral reef fish. Mar Ecol Prog Ser, 401:233-245 (doi: 10.3354/meps08366)
. Abstract available at http://www.int-res.com/prepress/m08366.html
Donelson, J. M., Munday, P. L., McCormick, M. I. (2009) Parental
effects on offspring life histories: when are they important? Biology
Letters, doi:10.1098/rsbl.2008.0642 [abstract]
Munday, P.L., Dixson, D. L., Donelson, J. M., Jones, G. P.,
Pratchett, M. S., Devitsina, G. V., Døving, K. B. (2009)
Ocean acidification impairs olfactory discrimination
and homing ability of a marine fish. PNAS, 106: 1848-1852,
doi:10.1073/pnas.0809996106 [abstract]
Donelson, J., M., McCormick, M. I., Munday, P. L. (2008) Parental
condition affects early life-history of a coral reef fish. Journal
of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology, 360: 109-116.
Munday, P. L., Kingsford, M. J., O’Callaghan, M, Donelson,
J. M. (2008) Elevated temperature restricts
growth potential of the coral reef fish Acanthochromis polyacanthus. Coral
Reefs 27: 927-931 (Currently Published Online).
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