Meeting Abstract

S10-10   15:00 - 15:30  Energetics and biomechanics of fish locomotion under climate change Di Santo, V; Stockholm University valentina.disanto@zoologi.su.se http://www.valentinadisanto.com

Fishes exhibit extraordinary locomotor abilities that have contributed to their striking diversity and evolutionary success. Detailed analyses of kinematics and energetics of swimming have helped understand the key characteristics that allow fishes to endure large-scale migrations, perform maneuvers, and utilize the variability in their environment to enhance physiological processes. Even though fish locomotion has been extensively investigated by biomechanists and physiologists, both theoretically and experimentally, the connection between form, function and energetics in fish swimming has been rarely evaluated empirically in the same system, especially in light of environmental change. Climatic stressors, such as ocean warming and acidification, are known to impact marine fishes by reducing the energy allocated to locomotor performance. Additionally, warming and acidification can alter swimming performance by affecting morphological and behavioral traits in fishes. Here, I present data from studies that integrate biomechanics and energetics of fish locomotion under ocean warming and acidification to identify traits that are particularly vulnerable to environmental change. Ocean warming and acidification have an interacting and complex effect that reduces swimming endurance, increases the costs of locomotion, and alters the movement of fins and body. Studies on the effect of climate change on energetics and biomechanics of fishes demonstrate that many traits linked to swimming performance are likely to be affected in the near future, which may reduce the capacity to migrate, procure food, and escape predation.