Threshold temperature constraints on reproduction of the banded killifish (Fundulus diaphanus)

Abstract

Banded killifish (Fundulus diaphanus) are a small, freshwater fish that have a wide distribution in eastern North America and are considered a species-at-risk on the island of Newfoundland. We posit that because Newfoundland’s summer climate is much cooler than other locations at similar latitudes, there may be different constraints on banded killifish reproduction. We measured embryonic development under four temperatures (10, 16, 22, and 28 °C) and two conductivities (0.6 and 1.2 mS/cm). Warmer temperatures led to more developed embryos prior to death in embryos that ultimately did not hatch, higher hatch success, faster hatch time, and fewer thermal units to hatch. Conductivity and temperature interacted to affect hatch size. Therefore, banded killifish are likely challenged by the low temperature and conductivity conditions in Newfoundland which may result in reproductive constraints, and perhaps complete cohort failures in relatively cool summers.