Multigenerational exposure to increased temperature reduces metabolic
rate but increases boldness
Abstract
Acute exposure to warming temperatures increases minimum energetic
requirements in ectotherms. However, over and within multiple
generations, increased temperatures may cause plastic and evolved
changes that modify the temperature sensitivity of energy demand and
alter individual behaviours. Here, we aimed to test whether populations
recently exposed to geothermally elevated temperatures express an
altered temperature sensitivity of metabolism and behaviour. We expected
that long-term exposure to warming would moderate metabolic rate,
reducing the temperature sensitivity of metabolism, with concomitant
reductions in boldness and activity. We compared the temperature
sensitivity of metabolic rate (acclimation at 20 versus 30°C) and
allometric slopes of routine, standard, and maximum metabolic rates, in
addition to boldness and activity behaviours, across eight recently
divergent populations of a widespread fish species (Gambusia affinis).
Our data reveal that warm-source populations express a reduced
temperature sensitivity of metabolism, with relatively high metabolic
rates at cool acclimation temperatures and relatively low metabolic
rates at warm acclimation temperatures. Allometric scaling of metabolism
did not differ with thermal history. Across individuals from all
populations combined, higher metabolic rates were associated with higher
boldness and activity. However, warm-source populations displayed
relatively more bold behaviour at both acclimation temperatures, despite
their relatively low metabolic rates at warm acclimation temperatures.
Overall, our data suggest that in response to warming, multigenerational
processes may not direct trait change along a simple “pace-of-life
syndrome” axis, instead causing relative decreases in metabolism and
increases in boldness. Ultimately, our data suggest that
multigenerational warming may produce a novel combination of
physiological and behavioural traits, with consequences for animal
performance in a warming world.