Investigating the metabolic and oxidative stress induced by biofouled microplastics exposure in Seriola lalandi (yellowtail kingfish).

Microorganisms quickly colonise microplastics entering the ocean, forming a biofilm that, if ingested, is consumed with the microplastics. Past research often neglects to expose fish to biofouled microplastics, opting only for clean microplastics despite the low likelihood that fish will encounter clean microplastics. Here, we investigate the physiological impacts of biofouled polyethylene microplastic (300-335 μm) exposure in juvenile fish.

Exposure to petroleum-derived and biopolymer microplastics affect fast start escape performance and aerobic metabolism in a marine fish.

Evidence suggests that petroleum-derived polymers can impact marine organisms however, little is understood about whether biopolymers affect the behaviour and physiology of marine teleost fish. The aim of this research was to examine the potential effects of microplastics from a petroleum-derived polymer, (polyethylene, PE), and a biopolymer, (edible food coating EFC) on the escape performance, routine swimming, and aerobic metabolism of Forsterygion capito (the mottled triplefin). PE exposure negatively affected fish through longer latencies (∼25 % slower to respond), slower maximum speeds and higher responsiveness in escape performance compared to control fish.

Investigating the impacts of biofouled marine plastic debris on the olfactory behaviour of juvenile yellowtail kingfish (Seriola lalandi).

Marine microplastics are rapidly colonised by a microbial community which form a biofilm unique from the surrounding seawater that often contains infochemical-producing species associated with food sources. Here, we investigated whether juvenile kingfish (Seriola lalandi) were more attracted to biofouled plastics compared to clean plastics. Plastics were exposed to unfiltered seawater for one month to cultivate a microbial community.

Quantifying changes in umbilicus size to estimate the relative age of neonatal blacktip reef sharks ().

Sharks can incur a range of external injuries throughout their lives that originate from various sources, but some of the most notable wounds in viviparous shark neonates are at the umbilicus. Umbilical wounds typically heal within 1 to 2 months post-parturition, depending on the species, and are therefore often used as an indicator of neonatal life stage or as a relative measure of age [ grouping by umbilical wound classes (UWCs), according to the size of their umbilicus]. To improve comparisons of early-life characteristics between studies, species and across populations, studies using UWCs should integrate quantitative changes.

Escape response kinematics in two species of tropical shark: short escape latencies and high turning performance.

Accelerative manoeuvres, such as fast-starts, are crucial for fish to avoid predation. Escape responses are fast-starts that include fundamental survival traits for prey that experience high predation pressure. However, no previous study has assessed escape performance in neonate tropical sharks.

Investigating links between thermal tolerance and oxygen supply capacity in shark neonates from a hyperoxic tropical environment.

Temperature and oxygen limit the distribution of marine ectotherms. Haematological traits underlying blood-oxygen carrying capacity are thought to be correlated with thermal tolerance in certain fishes, and this relationship is hypothesised to be explained by oxygen supply capacity. We tested this hypothesis using reef shark neonates as experimental models because they live near their upper thermal limits and are physiologically sensitive to low oxygen conditions.

First record of a by-the-wind-sailor ( Linnaeus, 1758) in the Galápagos Archipelago - Ecuador.

We present the first official record of the by-the-wind-sailor () for Ecuador. Twelve individuals were found along different beaches of San Cristóbal and Santa Cruz Islands in Galápagos Archipelago, Ecuador. These sightings may be influenced by El Niño Southern Oscillation events.