Effects of temperature and heat waves on embryonic development of annual fishes from Neotropical wetlands: Implications for climate change scenarios

Climate change projections predict warmer temperatures and increased frequency of heat waves in many regions across the globe. These scenarios are expected to strongly impact temperature-dependent life-history traits of aquatic species, such as the embryonic stage of annual fishes inhabiting temporary freshwater wetlands. Here, we assessed the effects of different incubation temperatures (18, 24, 27 and 30 degrees C) and exposure to heat waves (18- 30 degrees C for 6 h) on aspects of the embryonic development: mortality and trajectory (direct development or diapause entry) of two Neotropical species of annual fishes from high-(Austrolebias nubium) and low-altitude (A. cyaneus) areas. Temperatures of 30 degrees C resulted in 100% embryo mortality in both species, and development trajectory differed between species across temperatures. Embryo mortality in the high-altitude species was higher at 27 degrees C, while a higher number of embryos of the low-altitude species entered diapause II at 18 degrees C. Embryo mortality and development trajectory after exposure to heat waves were similar between species. In terms of implications for climate change scenarios, temperatures above 27 degrees C seem critical for the embryo survival of both species studied, although they seem capable to endure short -term events of heat waves. In summary, our results indicate that the persistence of populations of high-altitude annual fish species may be subject to higher threat under warming scenarios, since embryos from this species were more sensitive to increasing temperatures than the low-altitude species.

Automated summary

Climate change projections predict that warm temperatures and increased frequency of heat waves will strongly impact the embryonic development of aquatic species. A study on two Neotropical annual fish species found that temperatures above 27 degrees C were critical for embryo survival, while exposure to heat waves had similar effects on both species. The high-altitude species was more sensitive to increasing temperatures, indicating a higher threat to their population persistence under warming scenarios.