Due to global warming, the ocean is getting warmer and with this the size of fish is also decreasing across the world. But how to go deeper into this question is troubling scientists and confusing them even more. Some reasons for this have also been suggested, but a popular and accepted reason has been challenged by a new study. In this study, scientists have directly challenged the results of the theory that the reason for the reduction in size of fish is that their gills, i.e. the respiratory gland, are becoming smaller and they are not able to take in much oxygen.
This theory is called Gill Oxygen Limitation Theory. According to this, due to the increase in the temperature of the oceans, the surface area of the gills of fish is decreasing. This theory has been directly challenged by the results of the study by scientists at the University of Massachusetts (UMA), Amherst.
Researchers doing research on the fish named Brook Trout clearly say that although the size of the fish is decreasing due to increase in temperature, it has no direct relation with the decrease in the size of the gill cover of the fish. Joshua Lonthier, a biology lecturer at UMA, also emphasizes the uncertainty caused by temperature.
In the study conducted on brooktrout fish, scientists could not understand the reason for the reduction in size. (Symbolic photo: Wikimedia Commons)
Lonthier says that due to climate change our oceans and rivers are warming. The result is that not only fishes but many animals are becoming smaller in size as they reach adulthood. This can be called temperature size rule. But even after decades of research, it is not understood why or how this is happening?
The researchers chose the brook trout species of fish to study their surface area, energy requirements and their growth rate. They placed one group of these fish in a tank with water at 15 degrees Celsius, and the other in a tank with water at 20 degrees Celsius. Kept in. After this, changes in the weight, size, and oxygen consumption of the fish were examined every month. Along with this, changes in their gills were examined. Researchers found that the size of the fish is decreasing, but the surface area of the gills is not decreasing. Nor were the fishes seen to adapt themselves in terms of oxygen consumption. It is clear that scientists will have to do more research to find out the exact reason.
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FIRST PUBLISHED: February 23, 2024, 18:23 IST
