Assessing sublethal effects of ultraviolet radiation in juvenile rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)

EUGENIA ALEMANNI, MARÍA; MARIANA LOZADA,; HORACIO ZAGARESE

Photochemical And Photobiological Sciences

Año: 2003 vol. 2 p. 867 - 870

This paper presents a method for assessing sublethal effects of ultraviolet radiation in fish. The method is basedon the assumption that UV-B exposure is stressful to fish. We measured oxygen consumption in UV-B-irradiatedrainbow trout juveniles using a UV-transparent respirometer chamber. In addition, we simultaneously monitoredfish behavior by videotaping. We found a direct relationship between UV-B irradiance and the percentage increasein oxygen consumption. Increased swimming activity and restless behavior were also noted under UV-B irradiation.The actual mechanisms by which fish perceive UV radiation and a behavioral reaction is triggered are unknown.Based on the present study, a response to UV-A irradiation cannot be ruled out.