The effect of thermal shock during diel vertical migration on the energy required for oceanic migration of the European silver eel

Thomas Trancart (1) , C. Tudorache (2) , G.E.E.J.M. van den Thillart (2) , A. Acou (1) , A Carpentier (3) , C. Boinet (1) , G Gouchet (1) , E. Feunteun (1)

1 MNHN - Muséum national d'Histoire naturelle
2 IBL - Institute Biology Leiden
3 Biodiversité et gestion des territoires EA 7316

Recently, diel vertical migration (DVM) was observed in European silver eels (Anguilla anguilla) migrating towards the Sargasso Sea. However, because European silver eels do not feed during this migration, their energy consumption requires accurate optimization due to their limited fat reserves. In this study, changes in water temperature were experimentally induced to simulate those experienced by silver eels during DVMs to estimate their effect on oxygen consumption (MO2). Therefore, the oxygen consumption of eels at 8°C (deep waters) and 14°C (surface waters) was measured, and the effect of rapid thermal changes (shocks) from 8°C to 14°C, simulating ascent, and from 14°C to 8°C, simulating descent, both movements mimicking DVMs, were assessed. Firstly, a single thermal shock induced an increase in MO2 in both sexes at both temperatures.

Keywords: Anguilla anguilla; Conservation physiology; Oxygen consumption; Swimming respirometry; Swimming tunnels

Domains: Life Sciences [q-bio]; Animal biology

Thomas Trancart, C. Tudorache, G.E.E.J.M. van den Thillart, A. Acou, A Carpentier, et al.. The effect of thermal shock during diel vertical migration on the energy required for oceanic migration of the European silver eel. Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology, 2015, 463, pp.168-172. ⟨10.1016/j.jembe.2014.12.004⟩. ⟨hal-01154596⟩