Fiber optic measurement system for ecophysiology and metabolic research

点击翻译按钮获取中文摘要

Environmental factors (temperature, water oxygen level, daily/seasonal changes in light intensity, currents, depth etc.) have a profound effect on the physiology, activity and behaviour of marine fishes and invertebrates. However, most of the research in this area has focused on juveniles/adults, not on the "critical periods" of embryonic (i.e. the egg) and larval development where natural selection (mortality) is the most intense. In this proposal, fiber-optic oxygen measurement equipment is requested so that we can: 1) ask questions about how the metabolism of marine fish eggs and larvae is affected by environmental stressors of ecological importance (high and low temperature, low oxygen levels etc.); 2) examine aspects of invertebrate egg and larval development, and the metabolism of deep-sea invertebates; 3) test theoretical models that are used to explain the relationships between egg size/quality and fish survival, and 4) examine several aspects related to the functioning of mitochondria (the cell's powerplant) and fish metabolism/physiology. This equipment will support 4 researchers at the Ocean Sciences Centre (Memorial University of Newfoundland), and others, who investigate aspects of fish or invertebrate physiology that directly impact on the biology and ecology of coastal marine organisms inhabiting the cold-ocean environment around Newfoundland and Labrador. This research will allow us to predict how environmental change influences natural populations, and improve our ability to manage marine fish and invertebrate species for sustainable harvesting and conservation purposes.