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Thermal variability reduces maximal

swimming performance in a threatened
tadpole.

Poster · June 2016

DOI: 10.13140/RG.2.2.14529.45925

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 Thermal variability reduces maximal swimming performance in
a threatened tadpole
José L. 1
Bartheld , Paulina Artacho 2 & Leonardo Bacigalupe 1
1 Instituto de Ciencias Ambientales y Evolutivas, Universidad Austral de Chile, Valdivia, Chile.
2 Instituto Tecnológico del Salmón, Salmón Chile. Puerto Montt, Chile.

Abstract
Daily temperature variability has been recognized as an important factor that can affect
physiological processes and fitness related traits. We evaluated the effects of diel thermal
variability on maximal swimming speed in helmeted water toad tadpoles. We obtained
estimates of maximal swimming speed from 23 individuals assigned to a fluctuating
temperature treatment (20 °C  1.5 SD) and 19 assigned to a constant temperature treatment
(20 °C  0.1 SD). This work showed that thermal fluctuating conditions reduced maximal
swimming speed of tadpoles (especially near the Topt) and triggered a flatter curve. This finding
gives partial evidence to support the “faster-slower” and “generalist-specialist trade offs“
hypothesis. Alternatively, the observed reduction of maximal performance can be explained by
Jensen’s inequality, a mathematical property of non-linear functions.
Results
Diel thermal fluctuations tended to reduce performance at intermediate body temperatures,
especially near the thermal optimum. Both TPCs had the same Topt, but there were significant
differences in their curvatures and slopes (table 1, figure 3). Thermal acclimation resulted in
lower maximal swimming performance (AT:Bt effect) and a flatter curve (AT:Bt2 effect) in the
fluctuating thermal treatment. The model that best described the individual differences in
TPCs (figure 3) was the model that accounted for individual differences in both, the linear slope
and curvature of the TPCs (table 2, model 4).

Helmeted water toad tadpole

Calyptocephalella gayi
10 cm

Introduction
In the current global warming scenario, an increasing in the mean environmental temperatures
altogether with a higher frequency of extremely high temperatures and greater temporal Figure 3. Maximal swimming performance curves (Quadratic functions) of tadpoles acclimated to
variability has been predicted to occur. A practical approach to studying the physiological constant (20 ºC ± 0.1 SD) and fluctuating (20 ºC ± 1.5 SD) treatments. Gray area indicates 95% CIs.
capabilities of ectotherms given environmental temperature is by estimating thermal Table 1. Significance tests of the most simple Table 2. Comparisons of random effect models used
performance curves (TPCs). Most of studies have focused on the effects of changes in averages random effect model (model 1).
environmental temperatures, however, temperature variability has been recognized as an factor β s.e. d.f. t p-value Model Random terms ref M M d.f. AIC Llike χ2 d.f. p-value

that can affect several physiological processes and fitness related traits. Here, we investigated (intercept) - 0.89 0.22 233 - 4.11 < 0.001*** 1 (1 | ID) 8 489.24 -222.53

the effects of acclimation to thermal variability using a simple experimental protocol to Bt 0.48 0.02 205 21.33 < 0.001*** 2 (Bt | ID) 1 9 461.85 -221.92 1.22 1 0.269

separate the effects of mean and diel temperature variation on maximal swimming speed in Bt 2 - 0.01 0.00 205 -21.27 < 0.001*** 3 (Bt2 | ID) 1 11 462.11 -220.06 4.95 3 0.175
Calyptocephalella gayi tadpoles. AT 0.13 0.29 232 0.44 0.660 4 ((Bt+Bt2) | ID) 1 14 448.75 -210.38 24.32 6 < 0.001***

23 Fluctuating
AT : Bt - 0.09 0.03 204 - 3.02 0.003** 5 (AT | ID) 1 11 466.77 -222.38 0.29 3 0.960
Constant
22 AT : Bt 2 0.00 0.00 204 3.52 < 0.001*** Models including water bath as random effect always were less informative with AIC values
Material and Methods
Temperature (°C)

higher than 500. *P < 0.05; **P < 0.01; ***P < 0.001
21 *P < 0.05; **P < 0.01; ***P < 0.001
1
48 helmeted water toad tadpoles (gosner 25-27) were 20
1
Discussion
randomly selected and acclimated for two weeks in a 19

constant temperature treatment (20°C ± 0.1 SD) or in 18

a fluctuating temperature treatment (20°C ± 1.5 SD).
We used programmable thermostatic heaters and air
pumps. P 12L:12D and tadpoles were fed ad libitum.
Water temperature was recorded using data loggers
(Figure 1).
Maximal swimming speed was measured for each individual
at 6 temperatures (5, 12, 20, 25, 30, and 35 °C).
Measurements were made using a thermal bath provided
with a swimming track. Individuals were randomly assigned
to sequence of temperatures. The fastest speed of 3 trials
estimated over a 25 cm interval was considered the maximal
swimming speed (Body lengths per seconds).
Quadratic, Gaussian an Weibull functions was analyzed using
the Akaike Information Criterion. We used general linear
mixed models (LMM) with a quadratic function.
2000 4000 6000 8000 10000
Diel thermal fluctuating conditions reduced maximal swimming speed of tadpoles and
Minutes
triggered a flatter curve. This finding gives partial evidence to support the “faster-slower” and
Figure 1. An example of the first week of “generalist-specialist trade offs“ hypothesis. Alternatively, the reduction of maximal
temperature in the two acclimation
performance can be explained by Jensen’s inequality, a mathematical property of non-linear
treatments.
functions. Jensen’s inequality states that temperature variability is predicted to consistently
elevate or depress performance in relation to acquired performance at the same mean
temperature in a constant regime. Performance only depend on whether or not the function is
accelerating or decelerating.
Locomotion is a relevant trait because determines if an organism is able to escape from
predators, catch prey, or disperse. Our results suggest that individual variation of thermal
sensitivity on maximal swimming speed could represent additional substrate for natural
selection to act, but more field and laboratory studies should be conducted.
Our simple laboratory experiment demonstrates that a minimal diel variation in temperature
can reduce maximal performance; therefore, the widespread use of constant acclimation
temperatures in laboratory experiments may overestimate what actually occurs in nature.

Figure 2. thermal bath with a
swimming track and video recording
system.
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Acknowledgements
All experimental procedures were approved by the Universidad Austral de Chile animal care
committee and followed Chilean legal requirements. Funded by FONDECYT N° 3140243.