Effects of Generation-Long Temperature Acclimation on Reproductive Performance of the Desert Pupfish, Cyprinodon n. nevadensis

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Abstract
The hypothesis was tested that the reproductive function would exhibit compensation to temperature if the organism was bred and reared at temperatures which ordinarily produced less than optimal reproductive performance. Desert pupfish, Cyprinodon n. nevadensis, were bred and the eggs reared at the optimum temperature for reproduction, 28 C, and at two marginal temperatures, 24 and 32 C. Each brood was divided into three groups and reproductive performance was tested at the rearing temperature and at two alternate temperatures to which they had never before been exposed. The eggs laid per spawning and eggs laid per gram body weight per day showed no compensation to rearing temperature. Reproductive performance was optimal at 28 C and was poor at both marginal temperatures, regardless of the previous thermal history of the fish. Lower egg viability at 32 C was associated with a thin egg coat, small yolk diameter, and low gonosomatic index as compared with the same measurements at the lower temperatures.

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