Cumulative effects of nylon microplastic fibres and warming temperature on the behavior and physiology of marine threespine stickleback (Gasterosteus aculeatus)

Abstract

Populations are exposed to multiple anthropogenic stressors simultaneously; however, the combined effects are poorly understood. Climate change is starkly impacting marine ecosystems and consequently fishes, with warming temperatures and increases in frequencies and durations of extreme climate events. Concurrently, plastics, such as nylon used in fishing industries, are contaminating marine waters at unprecedented levels, with detrimental effects on fishes. Here we studied the cumulative effects of warming and nylon microplastic fibres on the behavior and physiology of threespine stickleback (Gasterosteus aculeatus) by exposing fish to conditions of 15{degrees}C and 20{degrees}C and nylon concentrations of 0, 1, 10, and 100 mg/g (mg nylon/g food) for 4 weeks. Feeding rates responded complexly to multiple stressors, as increasing concentrations of plastic reduced feeding rates, with warming having an antagonistic effect. Furthermore, we observed "coughing" behaviors in response to ingestion of microfibres and a unique reselection tendency of food items previously selected by conspecifics. Under warming conditions, critical thermal maximum (CTmax) increased; however, exposure to plastics led to reductions in CTmax and thermal safety margins. Given these results, we anticipate reduced acclimation capacities, greater anxiety, and reductions in foraging efficiencies with increasing concentrations of plastic. Cumulatively, these stressors will yield greater energetic trade-offs and decreased accuracy in food selection with stark implications for marine ecosystem dynamics.