Air breathing in Magadi tilapia Alcolapia grahami, under normoxic and hyperoxic conditions, and the association with sunlight and reactive oxygen species

• DOI: 10.1111/jfb.12289
• Publication Date: 2014-02-04T23:28:29Z
• Authors: O. E. Johannsson; H. L. Bergman; C. M. Wood; P. Laurent; D. G. Kavembe; A. Bianchini; J. N. Maina; C. Chevalier; L. F. Bianchini; M. B. Papah; R. O. Ojoo
• Keywords: Diel vertical migration; Hyperoxia; Facultative

Observations of the Magadi tilapia Alcolapia grahami in hot, highly alkaline Lake revealed that they air breathe not only during hypoxia, as described previously, but also normoxia and hyperoxia. Air breathing under these latter conditions occurred within distinct groupings fish (pods) involved a small proportion population. properties (duration frequency) were quantified from video footage. population followed diel pattern with maximum extent pod formation occurring early afternoon. High levels reactive oxygen species ( ROS ) water may be an irritant encourages air‐breathing behaviour. The field experiments concentrations which are amongst highest reported literature (maximum daytime values 2·53–8·10 µM H 2 O ). Interlamellar cell masses ILCM between gill lamellae lagoon levels, while normoxic one third had little or no . This is first record facultative hyperoxic cichlid species.