Integrating Water Flow, Locomotor Performance and Respiration of Chinese Sturgeon during Multiple Fatigue-Recovery Cycles

• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0094345
• Publication Date: 2014-04-08T21:50:12Z
• Authors: Lu Cai; Lei Chen; David Johnson; Yong Gao; Prashant Mandal; Min Fang; Zhiying Tu; Yingping Huang
• Keywords: Respirometer

The objective of this study is to provide information on metabolic changes occurring in Chinese sturgeon (an ecologically important endangered fish) subjected repeated cycles fatigue and recovery the effect swimming capability. Fatigue-recovery likely occur when fish are moving through fishways large dams results investigation for fishway design conservation wild populations. A series four stepped velocity tests were carried out successively a Steffensen-type respirometer effects fatigue-recovery capability metabolism measured. Significant include: (1) critical speed decreased from 4.34 bl/s 2.98 bl/s; (2) active oxygen consumption (i.e. difference between total routine consumption) 1175 mgO2/kg 341 was primary reason decrease Ucrit; (3) excess post-exercise 36 22 mgO2/kg; (4) with step tests, white muscle (anaerobic metabolism) began contributing propulsion at lower speeds. Therefore, conserve energy by efficiently have high These contribute our understanding physiology support efforts populations species.