Abstract:

The endpoints of this experiment are specific gravity measurements of embryos of three different species of pelagic fish exposed to environmentally relevant doses of ultraviolent light radiation (UVR). Ultraviolent (UV) exposures were measured continually throughout exposure periods and measured using either an AMOUR or BIC Biospherical radiometer (BioSpherical Instruments, Inc., San Diego, CA). To explore how embryonic buoyancy is affected by UV exposure, additional endpoints such as oxygen consumption, energy depletion (yolk sac depletion) and photolyase expression were also explored.

Suggested Citation:

Pasparakis, Christina and Martin Grosell. 2020. Ultraviolet (UV) effects on embryonic buoyancy in three pelagic fish species. Distributed by: GRIIDC, Harte Research Institute, Texas A&M University–Corpus Christi. doi:10.7266/n7-x3at-gk94

Purpose:

To test the effects of ultraviolet (UV) exposure on embryonic buoyancy in pelagic fish embryos.

Data Parameters and Units:

Specific gravity (g cm-3) data for Control vs UV exposed embryos are found in the 'Specific Gravity Data’ folder for Cobia, Red Snapper and Yellowfin tuna. UV data for the embryonic exposures in different species of fish are located in the ‘UV Data’ folder. Yolk sac depletion data and images used to calculate yolk sac depletion are located in the ‘Yolk Sac Depletion’ folder for Control vs UV exposed embryos in different species of fish. Photolyase data for Red Snapper and Yellowfin Tuna embryos are found in the 'Photolyase Data' folder. UV data from different trials in all 3 species of fish found in 'UV data' folder. All data folders have readme text files that describe the measurements being made.

Methods:

Cobia and red snapper fish embryos were exposed to ultraviolet A (UVA) radiation using UVA light bulbs that were purchased from HTG Supply (Callery, PA). Ultraviolet (UV) exposures were measured using either an AMOUR or BIC Biospherical radiometer (BioSpherical Instruments, Inc., San Diego, CA).

Instruments:

Yolk sac and embryo area were measured using ImageJ version 1.46r (rsbweb.nih.gov/ij/) from a perimeter drawn with the freehand tool enclosing the area. The density gradient apparatus (Ray-Ran Test Equipment LTD, Warwickshire, United Kingdom) was used to measure specific gravity in UV vs Control embryos. AMOUR or BIC Biospherical radiometer.

Individual Files: