Realistic nitrate concentrations diminish reproductive indicators in Skiffia lermae, an endemic species in critical endangered status


Por: Villa-Villaseñor I.M., Herrera-Vargas M.A., Yáñez-Rivera B., Uribe M.C., Rueda-Jasso R.A., Phillips-Farfán B.Y., Mar-Silva V., Meléndez-Herrera E., Domínguez-Domínguez O.

Publicada: 1 ene 2024
Resumen:
Goodeinae is a subfamily of critically endangered fish native to central Mexico. Populations of Skiffia lermae, a species belonging to this subfamily, have significantly decreased in the past two decades. A previous study showed that S. lermae is sensitive to acute nitrate-nitrogen (NO3-N) exposure, leading to noticeable changes in both behavioral and histopathological bioindicators. The aim herein was to determine the vulnerability of S. lermae to NO3-N exposure at realistic concentrations registered in freshwater ecosystems in central Mexico where the species was historically reported. Offspring of S. lermae were chronically exposed during 60 days to concentrations of 5, 10 and 20 mg NO3-N/L, with 2 mg NO3-N/L used as the reference value (control). Survival rate, feeding behavior, aquatic surface respiration, body growth, scaled mass index, immature red blood cells, as well as histopathological changes in branchial, hepatic and gonadal tissues were evaluated. Additionally, this study analyzed water quality in freshwater ecosystems where S. lermae presently persists. The results showed decreased survival as NO3-N concentration increased, as well as increased feeding latency, aquatic surface respiration and histological damage in the gills and liver. These organs showed differential sex-dependent responses to NO3-N exposure; females were more sensitive than males. In the ovaries, a decreased density of stage III oocytes was associated with increased NO3-N concentrations. No changes were observed in body growth and number of immature red blood cells. Concentrations recorded in the three freshwater ecosystems that S. lermae inhabit were below 2 mg NO3-N/L. Together, the results could explain why the species has disappeared from more contaminated freshwater ecosystems where NO3-N levels exceed 5 mg/L. Moreover, the study warns about the risks of increasing NO3-N concentrations in the current sites where the species lives. Copyright 2024 Villa-Villaseñor et al.

Filiaciones:
Villa-Villaseñor I.M.:
 Programa Institucional de Doctorado en Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Michoacana de San Nicolás de Hidalgo, Michoacán, Morelia, Mexico

Herrera-Vargas M.A.:
 Laboratorio de Ecofisiología Animal, Instituto de Investigaciones Sobre Recursos Naturales, Universidad Michoacana de San Nicolás de Hidalgo, Michoacán, Morelia, Mexico

Yáñez-Rivera B.:
 Unidad Académica Mazatlán, Instituto de Ciencias del Mar y Limnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Sinaloa, Mazatlán, Mexico

Uribe M.C.:
 Laboratorio de Biología de la Reproducción Animal, Departamento de Biología Comparada, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad de México, Ciudad de México, Mexico

Rueda-Jasso R.A.:
 Laboratorio de Biología Acuática, Facultad de Biología, Universidad Michoacana de San Nicolás de Hidalgo, Michoacán, Morelia, Mexico

Phillips-Farfán B.Y.:
 Laboratorio de Nutrición Experimental, Instituto Nacional de Pediatría, Ciudad de México, Mexico

Mar-Silva V.:
 Estancia Posdoctoral Por México-CONACyT, Escuela Nacional de Estudios Superiores Unidad Morelia, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Michoacán, Morelia, Mexico

Meléndez-Herrera E.:
 Laboratorio de Ecofisiología Animal, Instituto de Investigaciones Sobre Recursos Naturales, Universidad Michoacana de San Nicolás de Hidalgo, Michoacán, Morelia, Mexico

Domínguez-Domínguez O.:
 Laboratorio de Biología Acuática, Facultad de Biología, Universidad Michoacana de San Nicolás de Hidalgo, Michoacán, Morelia, Mexico
ISSN: 21678359
Editorial
PeerJ Inc., 341-345 OLD ST, THIRD FLR, LONDON, EC1V 9LL, ENGLAND, Reino Unido
Tipo de documento: Article
Volumen: 12 Número: 9
Páginas:
WOS Id: 001310115300003
ID de PubMed: 39267944
imagen All Open Access; Gold Open Access

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