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Effects of temperature on power output and contraction kinetics in the locomotor muscle of the regionally endothermic common thresher shark (Alopias vulpinus)

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Abstract

The common thresher shark (Alopias vulpinus) is a pelagic species with medially positioned red aerobic swimming musculature (RM) and regional RM endothermy. This study tested whether the contractile characteristics of the RM are functionally similar along the length of the body and assessed how the contractile properties of the common thresher shark compare with those of other sharks. Contractile properties of the RM were examined at 8, 16 and 24 °C from anterior and posterior axial positions (0.4 and 0.6 fork length, respectively) using the work loop technique. Experiments were performed to determine whether the contractile properties of the RM are similar along the body of the common thresher shark and to document the effects of temperature on muscle power. Axial differences in contractile properties of RM were found to be small or absent. Isometric twitch kinetics of RM were ~fivefold slower than those of white muscle, with RM twitch durations of about 1 s at 24 °C and exceeding 5 s at 8 °C, a Q10 of nearly 2.5. Power increased approximately tenfold with the 16 °C increase in temperature, while the cycle frequency for maximal power only increased from about 0.5–1.0 Hz over this temperature range. These data support the hypothesis that the RM is functionally similar along the body of the common thresher shark and corroborate previous findings from shark species both with and without medial RM. While twitch kinetics suggest the endothermic RM is not unusually temperature sensitive, measures of power suggest that the RM is not well suited to function at cool temperatures. The cycle frequency at which power is maximized appeared relatively insensitive to temperature in RM, which may reflect the relatively cooler temperature of the thresher RM compared to that observed in lamnid sharks as well as the relatively slow RM phenotype in these large fish.

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Acknowledgments

This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under grants IOS-0617384 and IOS-0617403. Any opinions, findings or conclusions expressed in this material are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation. In addition, we express our gratitude to the William H. and MattieWattis Harris Foundation and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Bycatch Reduction and Engineering Program. Logistical support was provided by J. Valdez, S. Adams and T. Tazo. Individuals who assisted in this work include Dr. Nick Wegner, Cpt. Thomas “Cowboy” Fullam, Craig Heberer, Jake Ness, Trevor Young, Bart DiFiore, Lorraine Bohnet, Cindy Jonasson and Victoria Wintrode. We sincerely thank Mr. Thomas Pfleger and Family for their continued dedication toward marine research, conservation and public education.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biological Sciences, MiraCosta College, 1 Barnard Dr., Oceanside, CA, 92056, USA

    Jeanine M. Donley

  2. Pfleger Institute of Environmental Research, 315 N. Clementine, Oceanside, CA, 92054, USA

    Chugey A. Sepulveda & Scott A. Aalbers

  3. Department of Biological Sciences, University of Calgary, 2500 University Dr., Calgary, AB, T2N 1N4, Canada

    David G. McGillivray & Douglas A. Syme

  4. Department of Biology, University of Massachusetts Dartmouth, 285 Old Westport Rd., Dartmouth, MA, 02747, USA

    Diego Bernal

Authors
  1. Jeanine M. Donley
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  2. Chugey A. Sepulveda
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  3. Scott A. Aalbers
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  4. David G. McGillivray
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  5. Douglas A. Syme
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  6. Diego Bernal
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Correspondence to Chugey A. Sepulveda or Diego Bernal.

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Donley, J.M., Sepulveda, C.A., Aalbers, S.A. et al. Effects of temperature on power output and contraction kinetics in the locomotor muscle of the regionally endothermic common thresher shark (Alopias vulpinus). Fish Physiol Biochem 38, 1507–1519 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10695-012-9641-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10695-012-9641-1

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