Vertebrates reduce arterial blood pH (pHa) when body temperature increases. In water-breathers this response occurs primarily by reducing plasma HCO3− levels with small changes in the partial pressure of CO2 (PCO2). In contrast, air-breathers mediate the decrease in pHa by increasing arterial PCO2 (PaCO2) at constant plasma HCO3− by reducing lung ventilation relative to metabolic CO2 production. Much less is known in bimodal breathers that utilize both water and air. Here, we characterize the influence of temperature on arterial acid-base balance and intracellular pH (pHi) in the bimodal breathing swamp eel, Monopterus albus. This teleost uses the buccopharyngeal cavity for gas exchange and has very reduced gills. When exposed to ecologically relevant temperatures (20, 25, 30 and 35°C) for 24 and 48h, pHa decreased by -0.025 pH units/°C (U/°C) in association with an increased PaCO2, but without changes in plasma [HCO3−]. Intracellular pH (pHi) was also reduced with increased temperature. The slope of pHi of liver and muscle was -0.014 and -0.019 U/°C, while the heart muscle showed a smaller reduction (-0.008U/°C). When exposed to hypercapnia (7 or 14 mmHg) at either 25 or 35°C, Monopterus albus elevated plasma [HCO3−] and therefore seemed to defend the new pHa set-point, demonstrating an adjusted control of acid-base balance with temperature. Overall, the effects of temperature on acid-base balance in Monopterus albus resemble air-breathing amniotes, and we discuss the possibility that this pattern of acid-base balance results from a progressive transition in CO2 excretion from water to air as temperature rises.
2023 JEB Outstanding Paper Prize shortlist and winner
The JEB Editors are delighted to announce the shortlisted authors for the 2023 JEB Outstanding Paper Prize. Read the winning paper - Tiny spies: mosquito antennae are sensitive sensors for eavesdropping on frog calls - by Hoover Pantoja-Sanchez and Brian Leavell from Ximena Bernal's lab at Purdue University, USA.
JEB Science Communication Workshop for ECRs
If you’re an early-career researcher interested in science communication and are attending the SEB Annual Conference in Prague this summer, come a day early and join the JEB Editors at a sci comm workshop to learn the key writing skills needed to promote your research to a broad audience beyond your peers (1 July at 14.30-17.30). Places are limited to 24 attendees, and applicants should apply through the SEB registration page by 30 April 2024.
Bridging the gap between controlled conditions and natural habitats in understanding behaviour
Novel technologies enable behavioural experiments with non-model species, in naturalistic habitats and with underexplored behaviours. In their Commentary, Scholz and colleagues discuss how to obtain a deeper understanding of the natural ecology and lifestyle of study animals.
Beluga metabolic measures could help save species
To help save animals from extinction, it’s important to understand what each species needs to survive. This led Jason John et al. to measure the metabolic rates of captive belugas to develop a ‘fish calculator’ showing that the whales need to eat ~23 salmon per day.
ECR Workshop on Positive Peer Review
Are you an ECR looking for tips on how to write concise, astute and useful manuscript reviews? If so, join the JEB Editors at a 2-hour JEB-sponsored Workshop on Positive Peer Review at the Canadian Society of Zoologists annual meeting in Moncton on 9 May 2024 at 13.00-15.00. There are 25 spaces for ECRs and selection is first come, first serve. To sign up, check the ECR Workshop box when you register for the CSZ meeting.
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