E-Thesis 38 views
How does the presence of macroplastic impact the reproductive behaviour and fecundity of Zebrafish (Danio rerio)? / ALEXANDRA CHAND
Swansea University Author: ALEXANDRA CHAND
Abstract
Plastic pollution is emerging as a growing environmental problem worldwide, with plastic waste entering our seas and rivers at an unprecedented rate. However, most plastic waste is stored in river systems, with an estimated influx of 0.8 million tonnes entering 84% of rivers worldwide, a number that...
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Swansea, Wales, UK
2024
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| Institution: | Swansea University |
| Degree level: | Master of Research |
| Degree name: | MRes |
| Supervisor: | Esteban, Nicole ; Pope, Edward |
| URI: | https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa66941 |
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| Abstract: |
Plastic pollution is emerging as a growing environmental problem worldwide, with plastic waste entering our seas and rivers at an unprecedented rate. However, most plastic waste is stored in river systems, with an estimated influx of 0.8 million tonnes entering 84% of rivers worldwide, a number that is expected to triple by 2060. The current research into the impacts of macroplastics on freshwater species mainly looks at threats such as ingestion and entanglement, however this study is one of the first to look at the impacts on reproductive behaviours and fecundity. A change in reproductive behaviours can impact spawning success, thus with plastic being deposited on the bottom sediment where most species forage and spawn, this can alter the distribution of species. A consistent change in behaviours over a prolonged period of time can be inherited by offspring as personality traits. This suggests that as the plastic problem grows, future generations will have adapted to the changing environment by inheriting the most resilient personality traits through behavioural selection. Here we show that zebrafish (Danio rerio) exhibited changes in their reproductive behaviours in the presence of macroplastic, with benthic plastic having the most negative impact on behaviour and egg survival rates. Individuals presenting bold behavioural syndromes reproduced more successfully and had a higher egg survival rate compared to individuals displaying timid behaviours, which implicates future natural selection that favours bolder fish. This research suggests that freshwater ecosystems with a higher amount of macroplastic pollution will see detrimental impacts to population structure of the species inhabiting these environments. |
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| Keywords: |
Zebrafish, Plastic pollution, Personality, Behaviour, Fecundity |
| College: |
Faculty of Science and Engineering |