Ecological influences and morphological correlates of resting and maximal metabolic rates across teleost fish species

Killen, S. S. , Glazier, D. S., Rezende, E. L., Clark, T. D., Atkinson, D., Willener, A. S. T. and Halsey, L. G. (2016) Ecological influences and morphological correlates of resting and maximal metabolic rates across teleost fish species. American Naturalist, 187(5), pp. 592-606. (doi: 10.1086/685893) (PMID:27104992)

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Abstract

Rates of aerobic metabolism vary considerably across evolutionary lineages, but little is known about the proximate and ultimate factors that generate and maintain this variability. Using data for 131 teleost fish species, we performed a large-scale phylogenetic comparative analysis of how interspecific variation in resting and maximum metabolic rates (RMR and MMR, respectively) is related to several ecological and morphological variables. Mass- and temperature-adjusted RMR and MMR are highly correlated along a continuum spanning a 30- to 40-fold range. Phylogenetic generalized least squares models suggest RMR and MMR are higher in pelagic species and that species with higher trophic levels exhibit elevated MMR. This variation is mirrored at various levels of structural organization: gill surface area, muscle protein content, and caudal fin aspect ratio (a proxy for activity) are positively related with aerobic capacity. Muscle protein content and caudal fin aspect ratio are also positively correlated with RMR. Hypoxia-tolerant lineages fall at the lower end of the metabolic continuum. Different ecological lifestyles are associated with contrasting levels of aerobic capacity, possibly reflecting the interplay between selection for increased locomotor performance on one hand and tolerance to low resource availability, particularly oxygen, on the other. These results support the aerobic capacity model of the evolution of endothermy, suggesting elevated body temperatures evolved as correlated responses to selection for high activity levels.

Item Type:Articles
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Killen, Professor Shaun
Authors: Killen, S. S., Glazier, D. S., Rezende, E. L., Clark, T. D., Atkinson, D., Willener, A. S. T., and Halsey, L. G.
College/School:College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Biodiversity, One Health & Veterinary Medicine
Journal Name:American Naturalist
Publisher:University of Chicago Press
ISSN:0003-0147
ISSN (Online):1537-5323
Published Online:01 April 2016
Copyright Holders:Copyright © 2016 The University of Chicago
First Published:First published in American Naturalist 187(5):592-606
Publisher Policy:Reproduced in accordance with the copyright policy of the publisher

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Project CodeAward NoProject NamePrincipal InvestigatorFunder's NameFunder RefLead Dept
594261The Influence of Individual Physiology on Group Behaviour in Fish SchoolsShaun KillenNatural Environment Research Council (NERC)NE/J019100/1RI BIODIVERSITY ANIMAL HEALTH & COMPMED