University of Tasmania
Browse

File(s) under permanent embargo

Rain reverses diel activity rhythms in an estuarine teleost

journal contribution
posted on 2023-05-17, 15:17 authored by Payne, NL, Van Der Meulen, DE, Gannon, R, Jayson SemmensJayson Semmens, Suthers, IM, Gray, CA, Taylor, MD
Activity rhythms are ubiquitous in nature, and generally synchronized with the day–night cycle. Several taxa have been shown to switch between nocturnal and diurnal activity in response to environmental variability, and these relatively uncommon switches provide a basis for greater understanding of the mechanisms and adaptive significance of circadian (approx. 24 h) rhythms. Plasticity of activity rhythms has been identified in association with a variety of factors, from changes in predation pressure to an altered nutritional or social status. Here, we report a switch in activity rhythm that is associated with rainfall. Outside periods of rain, the estuarine-associated teleost Acanthopagrus australis was most active and in shallower depths during the day, but this activity and depth pattern was reversed in the days following rain, with diurnality restored as estuarine conductivity and turbidity levels returned to pre-rain levels. Although representing the first example of a rain-induced reversal of activity rhythm in an aquatic animal of which we are aware, our results are consistent with established models on the trade-offs between predation risk and foraging efficiency.

History

Publication title

Proceedings of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences

Volume

280

Issue

1750

Article number

20122363

Number

20122363

Pagination

1-7

ISSN

1471-2954

Department/School

Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies

Publisher

The Royal Society

Place of publication

United Kingdom

Rights statement

Copyright 2012 The Author(s)

Repository Status

  • Restricted

Socio-economic Objectives

Fisheries - recreational freshwater

Usage metrics

    University Of Tasmania

    Exports

    RefWorks
    BibTeX
    Ref. manager
    Endnote
    DataCite
    NLM
    DC