Combining stereo-video monitoring and physiological trials to estimate reef fish metabolic demands in the wild.

ABSTRACT: Organismal metabolic rates (MRs) are the basis of energy and nutrient fluxes through ecosystems. In the marine realm, fishes are some of the most prominent consumers. However, their metabolic demand in the wild (field MR [FMR]) is poorly documented, because it is challenging to measure directly. Here, we introduce a novel approach to estimating the component of FMR associated with voluntary activity (i.e., the field active MR [ AMRfield] ). Our approach combines laboratory-based respirometry, swimming speeds, and field-based stereo-video systems to estimate the activity of individuals. We exemplify our approach by focusing on six coral reef fish species, for which we quantified standard MR and maximum MR (SMR and MMR, respectively) in the laboratory, and body sizes and swimming speeds in t

SUBMITTER: Schiettekatte NMD 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9254678 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature