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Microplastics (MPs), widely present in aquatic ecosystems, can be ingested by numerous organisms, but their toxicity remains poorly understood. Toxicity of environmental MPs from 2 beaches located on the Guadeloupe archipelago, Marie Galante (MG) and Petit-Bourg (PB) located near the North Atlantic gyre, was evaluated. A first experiment consisted in exposing early life stages of zebrafish (Danio rerio) to MPs at 1 or 10 mg/L. The exposure of early life stages to particles in water induced no toxic effects except a decrease in larval swimming activity for both MPs exposures (MG or PB). Then, a second experiment was performed as a chronic feeding exposure over 4 months, using a freshwater fish species, zebrafish, and a marine fish species, marine medaka (Oryzias melastigma). Fish were fed with food supplemented with environmentally relevant concentrations (1% wet weight of MPs in food) of environmental MPs from both sites. Chronic feeding exposure led to growth alterations in both species exposed to either MG or PB MPs but were more pronounced in marine medaka. Ethoxyresorufin-O-deethylase (EROD) and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activities were only altered for marine medaka. Reproductive outputs were modified following PB exposure with a 70 and 42% decrease for zebrafish and marine medaka, respectively. Offspring of both species (F1 generation) were reared to evaluate toxicity following parental exposure on unexposed larvae. For zebrafish offspring, it revealed premature mortality after parental MG exposure and parental PB exposure produced behavioural disruptions with hyperactivity of F1 unexposed larvae. This was not observed in marine medaka offspring. This study highlights the ecotoxicological consequences of short and long-term exposures to environmental microplastics relevant to coastal marine areas, which represent essential habitats for a wide range of aquatic organisms. [Display omitted] • Environmental MPs led to weak toxic effects on zebrafish embryos and larvae. • Chronic trophic exposure to MPs reduced growth and reproduction for both fish F0. • Survival, growth, and behaviour of F1 larval offspring were affected by MPs. • Different effects were observed depending on fish species and/or MPs origin. • Chemical composition and not polymer type explained toxicity of environmental MPs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: In various experiments under self-feeding conditions, sea bass groups could be divided into three categories regarding feeder actuation: high, low and zero-triggering fish. In all cases few high-triggering fish were responsible for a high percentage of the feed delivery. A question was raised about the role played by feeding motivation in such high-triggering status acquisition. It was approached by applying a 3-week fasting period in order to induce similar negative specific growth rate (SGR) in two groups of fish of similar mean weight but with either a low or a high coefficient of variation for weight (CVw) (Tlow: CVw ∼11%, 3 tanks of 60 fish each; Thigh: CVw ∼20%, 3 tanks of 60 fish each). These groups were created to test the consistency of behavioural responses in two different contexts (i.e. two population size-distributions). During the follow-up period of 40 days, the group level feed-demand behaviour was not strongly modified by the fasting period and there were no differences between Tlow and Thigh groups. Complete growth compensation was the same in all tanks as observed at the end of the experiment. At the individual level, high-triggering fish were exactly the same individuals before and after the fasting period. Up to four high-triggering fish could be observed according to the tank and when several fish were performing high-triggering activity, their rankings were sometimes reversed after the fasting period. High-triggering fish increased their activity levels after the fasting period showing behavioural plasticity. High-triggering status could neither be explained by an initial lower SGR nor a sex effect, nor by any of the measured physiological blood parameters. Thus, individual''s triggering activity levels could be related to personality and/or metabolic traits but further research is required to confirm this assumption. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Domestication and selection may affect fish behaviour, sometime as soon as at the first generation of domestication. However, knowledge about how both processes impact on fish spatial exploration and swimming activity still is to be improved. The objective of this experiment was (i) to evaluate spatial exploration behaviour and swimming activities of three sea bass strains having different domestication and selection levels and (ii) to analyse their responses to an acute stress. Sea bass exploration and swimming activities were studied before, during and 40min after a stimulation (standardized fall of an object). The experimental tank was divided in to four zones, and the time spent, the distance travelled in each zone and the swimming complexity were quantified for each period from video recording. Results showed that fish from all strains presented the same flight response and that stimulus exposure induced a significant decrease in exploratory behaviour and swimming activity. The present study has also demonstrated that only one generation of captivity could be sufficient to obtain fish presenting the same behavioural characteristics than fish reared since at least two generations. Moreover, this study has highlighted that selection for growth seemed to select fish characterized by a bolder personality and potentially better adapted to rearing environment. It allowed us to suggest that selection for growth may have a higher effect on fish personality than domestication only. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The flatfish species Solea solea has been the subject of research for supporting their management in fisheries, restocking natural populations, domestication in aquaculture, and ecotoxicology research. Soles undergo a metamorphosis with drastic morphological and physiological changes and settlement, processes that make them potentially more vulnerable to pollutants than other fish. Up to date, efforts made to develop its aquaculture production in Europe have been limited. In the context of climate change (CC), this review aims i) to gather research conducted in S. solea larvae that summarizes the effects of increased temperature and contaminant exposures during larval development; and ii) to provide a summarized and synergistic view about its larval development. The review consists of 4 sections. Section 1 justifies the selection of this species from ecological and economic perspectives. Section 2 focuses on larvae ontogenesis, metamorphosis, rearing challenges, and further aquaculture production. Section 3 reviews studies dealing with the effects of temperature change (due to CC) and pollutants on larval development. Finally, section 4 provides a "how to go forward on ecotoxicological research" guideline, in which we highlight the methods that we found promising as tools to study the combined effects of CC and pollution. The section includes a multidisciplinary framework that proposes how existing data coming from different scientific domains can be synthesized to be useful for risk assessors and ecotoxicologists. To benefit from such a framework, it is necessary to reach consensus and nurture team effort from players that operate in different research disciplines. • Flatfish are relevant within ecotoxicity and environmental risk assessment. • We summarize the effects of temperature and chemical exposure on S. solea larvae. • Effects on larval development are of interest for multiple disciplines. • We present a multidisciplinary framework to improve collaboration between disciplines. • Physiology based models are promising tools for predicting anthropogenic effects on this species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The role of polyethylene microplastics 4–6 μm size (MPs) in the toxicity of environmental compounds to fish early life stages (ELS) was investigated. Marine medaka Oryzias melastigma embryos and larvae were exposed to suspended MPs spiked with three model contaminants: benzo(a)pyrene (MP-BaP), perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (MP-PFOS) and benzophenone-3 (MP-BP3) for 12 days. There was no evidence of MPs ingestion but MPs agglomerated on the surface of the chorion. Fish ELS exposed to virgin MPs did not show toxic effects. Exposure to MP-PFOS decreased embryonic survival and prevented hatching. Larvae exposed to MP-BaP or MP-BP3 exhibited reduced growth, increased developmental anomalies and abnormal behavior. Compared to equivalent waterborne concentrations, BaP and PFOS appeared to be more embryotoxic when spiked on MPs than when alone in seawater. These results suggest a relevant pollutant transfer by direct contact of MPs to fish ELS that should be included in the ecotoxicological risk assessment of MPs. Unlabelled Image • There was no evidence of microplastic ingestion. • Marine medaka embryos were in direct contact to microplastics via their chorion. • Aquatic contaminants spiked on microplastics induced acute and developmental toxicity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) are persistent organic pollutants still present in aquatic environments despite their total or partial ban. Previously, we observed that an environmentally realistic mixture of these compounds affects energy balance, growth, and reproduction in exposed zebrafish (F0), and behavior in their unexposed offspring (F1-F4). In the present work, we performed lipidomic and transcriptomic analyses on brains of zebrafish (F0-F2) from exposed and control lineages to identify molecular changes that could explain the observed phenotypes. The use of both technologies highlighted that F0 zebrafish displayed impaired mitochondrial function and lipid metabolism regulation (depletion in triacylglycerols and phospholipids) which can explain disruption of energy homeostasis. A subset of the regulated biological pathways related to energetic metabolism and neurotransmission were inherited in F2. In addition, there were increasing effects on epigenetic pathways from the F0 to the F2 generation. Altogether, we show that the effects of an environmental exposure to PCBs and PBDEs on energetic metabolism as well as neurotransmission extend over 2 generations of zebrafish, possibly due to transgenerational epigenetic inheritance. Unlabelled Image • A mixture of PCBs and PBDEs regulated energetic pathways in zebrafish male brain. • Transcriptomic and lipidomic changes supported the observed phenotypes. • These were partly inherited in the unexposed F2 generation. • Dysregulation of epigenetic mechanisms may be implicated in effect inheritance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Coping styles consist of a coherent set of individual physiological and behavioral differences in stress responses that are consistent across time and context. Such consistent inter-individual differences in behavior have already been shown in European sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax), but the associated mechanisms are still poorly understood. Here, we combine physiological measurements with individual behavioral responses in order to characterize coping styles in fish. Fish were tagged and placed in a tank for group risk-taking tests (GRT) at 8 months of age to evaluate boldness using the proxy latency of leaving a sheltered area towards an open area. A subsample of these fish were individually challenged 16 months later using an open field test (OFT), in which the boldness was assessed after being placed in a shelter within an open arena. Latency to exit the shelter, time spent in the shelter, and distance travelled were recorded for this purpose. The blood and brain were then collected to evaluate plasma cortisol concentration and neurotransmitter levels (dopamine, norepinephrine, serotonin, and related metabolites), as well as brain transcription of key genes involved in stress axis regulation (gr1, gr2 , mr, crf), neurogenesis (neurod1, neurod2, pcna), and neuronal development (egr1). Fish acting bolder in the GRT were not necessarily those acting bolder in the OFT, highlighting the relatively low consistency across different types of tests performed with a 16-months interval. There was, however, a significant correlation between stress markers and boldness. Indeed, mRNA levels of mr, crf, gr2, egr1 , and neurod2 , as well as norepinephrine levels were higher in shy than bold fish, whereas brain serotonergic activity was lower in shy fish. Overall, our study highlights the fact that boldness was not consistent over time when testing context differed (group vs. alone). This is in agreement with previous literature suggesting that social context play a key role in boldness measurement and that the particular life history of each individual may account in shaping the personality fate of a fish. • Boldness is not consistent when characterized using different types of test over an interval period of 16 months (group vs. individual tests). • After open field test, plasma cortisol concentration is similar between bold and shy fish. • Shy fish, however, display higher level of transcription of mr , gr2 , crf , egr1 and neurod2 (trend) in the whole brain. • Shy fish display higher level of norepinephrine and lower turnover ratio between serotonin and s hydroxyindoleacetic acid in the whole brain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights • Zebrafish (F0) were chronically exposed to a realistic environmental PCB/PBDE mixture via diet. • Molecular and behavioral analyses were performed from F0 to F4 generation. • Environmental PCB/PBDE mixture does not alter behavior in F0 exposed fish. • Gene transcription and behavior are altered in unexposed offspring in F1 to F4 generations. • These results suggest a combination of multi- and transgenerational effects of an environmental PCB/PBDE mixture. Abstract Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) are persistent organic pollutants extensively used during the 20th century and still present in aquatic environments despite their ban. Effects of exposure to these compounds over generations are poorly documented. Therefore, our aims were to characterize behavioral responses and underlying molecular mechanisms in zebrafish exposed to an environmentally relevant mixture of PCBs and PBDEs as well as in four unexposed offspring generations. Zebrafish (F0) were chronically exposed from the first meal onward to a diet spiked with a mixture containing 22 PCB and 7 PBDE congeners in proportions and concentrations reflecting environmental situations (ΣPCBs = 1991 and ΣPBDEs = 411 ng/g). Four offspring generations (F1 to F4) were obtained from this F0 and were not further exposed. Behavior was assessed at both larval and adult stages. Mechanisms related to behavioral defects (habenula maturation and c-fos transcription) and methylation (dnmts transcription) were monitored in larvae. Exposed adult F0 as well as F1 and F3 adults displayed no behavioral change while F2 expressed anxiety-like behavior. Larval behavior was also disrupted, i.e. hyperactive after light to dark transition in F1 or hypoactive in F2, F3 and F4. Behavioral disruptions may be related to defect in habenula maturation (observed in F1) and change in c-fos transcription (observed in F1 and F2). Transcription of the gene encoding DNA methyltransferase (dnmt3ba) was also modified in all generations. Our results lead us to hypothesize that chronic dietary exposure to an environmentally relevant mixture of PCB and PBDE triggers multigenerational and transgenerational molecular and behavioral disruptions in a vertebrate model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) are persistent organic pollutants that have been shown to affect fish life-history traits such as reproductive success, growth and survival. At the individual level, their toxicity and underlying mechanisms of action have been studied through experimental exposure. However, the number of experimental studies approaching marine environmental situations is scarce, i.e., in most cases, individuals are exposed to either single congeners, or single types of molecules, or high concentrations, so that results can hardly be transposed to natural populations. In the present study, we evaluated the effect of chronic dietary exposure to an environmentally realistic marine mixture of PCB and PBDE congeners on zebrafish life-history traits from larval to adult stage. Exposure was conducted through diet from the first meal and throughout the life cycle of the fish. The mixture was composed so as to approach environmentally relevant marine conditions in terms of both congener composition and concentrations. Life-history traits of exposed fish were compared to those of control individuals using several replicate populations in each treatment. We found evidence of slower body growth, but to a larger asymptotic length, and delayed spawning probability in exposed fish. In addition, offspring issued from early spawning events of exposed fish exhibited a lower larval survival under starvation condition. Given their strong dependency on life-history traits, marine fish population dynamics and associated fisheries productivity for commercial species could be affected by such individual-level effects of PCBs and PBDEs on somatic growth, spawning probability and larval survival. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nile tilapia Oreochromis niloticus (NT) and Black-chinned tilapia Sarotherodon melanotheron (BCT) are respectively characterized by fast growth and water salinity tolerance which attract the farmers who could take advantage of both species characteristics by producing hybrids reared in brackish or marine waters. Little information is however available about social interactions between the two species which are distinct by their mode of parental care (oral incubation). The objective of this study was to determine the behaviour of the two species, NT and BCT placed in freshwater intraspecific and interspecific pairing contexts. Females of both species (n = 20 per species) were first isolated for 90 days in a 60 L aquarium to determine the average duration between spawning in the absence of males. With the approach of 4th spawning or after 90 days of isolation, intra and interspecific pairing (fish average weight 200.4 ± 5.1 g) were made 10 times by pairing mode in a 350 L aquarium. The day after fish pairing, 15 min videos were recorded at one hour intervals from 8:00 h to 17:00 h, and courtship and aggressiveness behaviour were quantified. The results showed that isolated NT females had an average duration between two spawning of 15.9 days. No spawning was observed in BCT females. Spawning events were observed in the NT intraspecific pairs, with strictly maternal oral egg incubations. Behavioural differences and some similarities were noted between the two species. NT male was the most dominant in front of females of both species and NT females showed dominance on BCT males. No clear hierarchy was observed in BCT pairs. Courtship behaviours were observed in all pairings with longer durations in NT pairs. Nest building was observed from 8:00 h to 17:00 h in both sexes of BCT and male NT. NT females built nests from 11:00 h with longer durations when paired with males BCT than when paired with their conspecific males. These first results, reflecting behavioural plasticity in both species suggested that other breeding conditions favouring less aggressive behaviour could lead to a natural interspecific hybridization between NT and BCT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hybridization aims at combining valuable traits from two species into a single group. Nile tilapia Oreochromis niloticus (NT) and Black-chinned tilapia Sarotherodon melanotheron (BCT) are respectively characterized by fast growth and water salinity tolerance which attract the breeders who could take advantage of both species. The first step is to characterize both species behavior in different contexts. The aim of this study was to compare the self-feeding behaviour between NT and BCT with a design allowing to reveal individual and group feed demand behaviour and then to identify the individual specialization that builds around the device and the food dispenser. The second objective was to estimate the links between the individual specialization and personality traits. To this aim, we recorded feed demand behaviour of both species using a computerized self-feeding device (two tanks for each species containing 20 PIT-tagged individuals with a male-female ratio of about 47%). Personality traits of all individuals were subsequently characterized with an open field test (OFT). The links between feed-demand and personality were then analyzed. Growth performances were not significantly different between NT and BCT but there was a strong tank effect. The individual specialization was similar in NT and BCT and similar to that previously observed in sea bass i.e. 1–3 individuals responsible for most of the feed demand activity in the tanks. Most NT individuals stayed in the shelter during the open field test while most of BCT individuals moved out of it. Overall, NT were shyer than BCT or the OFT was not adapted to NT. Linking the results of the self-feeding experiment and OFT in BCT, we found a strong positive correlation between the triggering activity and females’ shyness. Fish that spent more time inside than outside the shelter and which latency to emerge from shelter was longer, were characterized by a higher triggering activity (high-triggering fish). This study confirms the NT ability to use self-feeder devices and provides the first insight into the same ability in BCT and demonstrates links with personality traits. These results have a potential interest for the success of BCT and NT hybridization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biological variability is no longer considered as statistical noise, but rather as an adaptive benefit. This variability comes from consistent differences in behavioral and physiological responses among individuals to a changing/challenging environment, named “coping style”, “temperament” or “personality”. Many studies have described how to characterize personality traits and how to assess their consistency over time and between different contexts; however, little is known about the environmental factors shaping personality development. Because contrasting personalities are maintained with evolution, this lead to the widespread assumption that genes play a predominant role in personality. In many cases, personality traits are however also likely to be determined by individual experience, which is probably at least as important as genetics in shaping personality. The aim of this study was to assess how environmental variability (herein food predictability) impacts behavioral responses, particularly the shyness-boldness axis, one of the most widely shared animal personality trait. Here, we reared juvenile seabass (95 days old) from two divergent strains selected for feed deprivation tolerance under standard conditions for 40 days. Thereafter, we submitted them to two feeding treatments (Predictable versus Unpredictable) starting at 135 dph and lasting 60 days. Seabass reared under a predictable food supply (PFS) grew faster and were shyer than fish reared under an unpredictable food supply (UFS) ( i.e. they took more time to exit the refuge zone of a Z-maze; UFS: 132.47 ± 34.63 s; PFS: 336.79 ± 56.97 s) but their exploration tendency was similar. We also examined the behavioral responses of these fish facing a hypoxic challenge. Hypoxia tolerance results were consistent before and after the two feeding treatments. Our findings show the importance of early environmental experience as a driving force shaping boldness. In addition, we provide further evidence that predictable feeding time should be respected in studies assessing essential functions such as growth and behavior. Although personality traits are partially heritable, this study demonstrates the important influence of environmental conditions and life history on behavior. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The shy–bold continuum is both a fundamental aspect of human behavior and a relatively stable behavioral trait for many other species. Here we assessed whether shy individuals prefer familiar congeners, taking the European sea bass, a recently domesticated fish showing similar behavioral responses to wild fish, as a model to better understand the inter-individual variability in social behavior previously observed in this species. In the wild, the link between familiarity i . e ., the preference of fish for familiar congeners and boldness could be part of the mechanism underlying shoaling formation in fish. Thirty fish were individually tested in a device designed to assess the preference for a familiar vs . an unfamiliar congener on the basis of visual cues only. An open field test (OFT) with shelter was performed on the same fish 32 days later to assess the boldness of each individual. Variables of interest included the proportion of time spent in the shelter, border and center zone of the arena and variables of activity. Variables measured in OFT were collapsed into first principal component scores using Principal Components Analysis (PCA) which allowed characterizing a shy-bold continuum. Time spent near the familiar congener was negatively correlated with boldness i . e ., shy individuals spent most of the time near the familiar congener. We discuss the relevance of these findings to the understanding of the behavior of European sea bass and suggest that the link between familiarity and shyness is a general aspect of both animal and human behavior. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent years have seen a growth of interest in the consistent differences in individual behaviour over time and contexts constituting the so-called “individual coping styles”. An understanding of this inter-individual variation is essential to improve our knowledge of the adaptive value of behaviour. Coping styles may have implications in diverse fields, so the development of appropriate screening methods for each species appears to be the most effective way to extend our knowledge and to incorporate behavioural responses into selection-based breeding programmes, to improve the domestication and welfare of farmed fish. We tested 30 juvenile seabass ( Dicentrarchus labrax ) at least twice in individual-based tests (feeding recovery in isolation, aggressiveness, exploration in a T-maze and net restraint) and group-based tests (risk-taking and hypoxia sorting), to assess coping style consistency in the short- and long-term and between tests. The results of individual-based tests were inconsistent over time and between tests in our setup: the time between repeat tests, learning and species-specific behavioural responses appeared to have a major impact. By contrast, the results of group-based tests, such as risk-taking and hypoxia sorting, appeared to be consistent (both in the short- and long-term). These tests therefore appeared to be the most relevant for the characterisation of coping style in European seabass. Furthermore, the results of these tests were also predictive of cortisol stress response. These tests are simple to perform and can be used to screen large numbers of fish, the first step in selection programmes including behavioural profiles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Most studies carried out with seabass under self-feeding conditions report an intriguing social structure that is built around the device and the food dispenser with three coexisting triggering categories: high-triggering (HT), low-triggering (LT) and zero-triggering (ZT) fish. However, neither sex nor feeding motivation or hierarchy can explain the establishment of this specialization. We characterized the personality of seabass with the commonly used restraint and open field tests and assessed the link between personality traits and individual triggering activity towards the self-feeder apparatus. We found no differences between triggering categories during the restraint test but high triggering fish were characterized as shyer than low- and zero-triggering fish during the open field test. Triggering activity was negatively correlated with exploratory capacities and boldness. This experiment provides for the first time evidence that high triggering status in seabass is correlated with personality traits, which could partly explain the social structure that builds around a self-feeder device. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Although individual electronic tagging using PIT (Passive Integrated Transponder) tags is well established, it is mainly used for fish >60mm in length. Since electronic tagging is an ideal identification method, we used RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) microtags (6mm in length, 1mm in diameter, 10mg in mass) to characterize individual fish from the early stages of their development and throughout their lifecycles. We used sea bass, Dicentrarchus labrax (105day-old fish weighing between 100 and 1100mg), and studied the effects of intra-coelomic tagging in half the population using different endpoints including survival and tag reading, growth over 6months and swimming responses. Dead fish were counted daily, biometric data were collected at 21 to 28days intervals and fish were sexed at the end of the experiment. Behavioral swimming responses following a sudden dark challenge were evaluated after the first three biometric measurements (immediately after tagging, and then 21 and 42days later). After 6months, mean survival was 69%, the smallest surviving fish weighed 197mg at tagging, and success in tag reading was 79% for the size class 300–400mg after 63days. No negative effects were observed on growth and most deaths occurred within 15days after tagging with a first peak after 5days but that did not particularly affect the smallest individuals. Differences in swimming responses were detected between tagged fish and untagged controls immediately after the surgical procedure with tagged fish swimming more than controls for 45min. However, after 21days, the tagged fish swam less than the untagged controls after being placed in the observation tank for 1h and 45min. At 42days post-tagging, no further differences were observed. Overall, results suggested that the tagging method was suitable for fish as small as 400mg and 36mm in total length. This type of early tagging method is invaluable for the longitudinal monitoring of individual biological traits (e.g., growth) or for repeated assays with the same individual at distinct time points (e.g., behavior studies). We used it for a first evaluation of early growth differentiation between sexes and demonstrated a 31% mass gain difference in females that was visible as soon as the fish reached 105days old. This confirms the potential of the method for the selection of early-expressed character traits which could lead to rearing cost savings for the aquaculture research field. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The use of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) has been banned for several decades. PCBs have a long biological half-life and high liposolubility which leads to their bioaccumulation and biomagnification through food chains over a wide range of trophic levels. Exposure can lead to changes in animal physiology and behavior and has been demonstrated in both experimental and field analyses. There are also potential risks to high trophic level predators, including humans. A maternal transfer has been demonstrated in fish as PCBs bind to lipids in eggs. In this study, behavioral traits (exploration and free swimming, with or without challenges) of contaminated zebrafish (Danio rerio) adults and their offspring (both as five-day-old larvae and as two-month-old fish reared under standard conditions) were measured using video-tracking. Long-term dietary exposure to a mixture of non-coplanar PCBs was used to mimic known environmental contamination levels and congener composition. Eight-week-old fish were exposed for eight months at 26–28°C. Those exposed to an intermediate dose (equivalent to that found in the Loire Estuary, ∑CB =515ngg−1 dry weight in food) displayed behavioral disruption in exploration capacities. Fish exposed to the highest dose (equivalent to that found in the Seine Estuary, ∑CB =2302ngg−1 dry weight in food) displayed an increased swimming activity at the end of the night. In offspring, larval activity was increased and two-month-old fish occupied the bottom section of the tank less often. These findings call for more long-term experiments using the zebrafish model; the mechanisms underlying behavioral disruptions need to be understood due to their implications for both human health and their ecological relevance in terms of individual fitness and survival. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Because captivity constitutes a drastic environmental change, domestication is expected to induce a rapid genetic selection for behavioural traits. In this study, we searched for genetic differences in behaviour among brown trout juveniles from two strains differing for their domestication history, i.e. an almost pure native wild Mediterranean population (W) and an Atlantic domesticated strain (D). In order to assess pure genetic differences among strains, males from the two origins were mated with Mediterranean females to produce two experimental crosses (WW and WD). The swimming activity characteristics of individual WW and WD juveniles were compared before and after the application of a stress (light switched off suddenly, followed by a 5-min period of darkness). For each of the fish observed, mating type origin (WW or WD) was unambiguously reassigned by genotyping. Behavioural responses differed between WD and WW fish. Angular velocity and the time spent immobile were greater for WW fish both before and after the short period of darkness, indicating higher reactivity. Once the light had been turned on again, mean velocity and total distance travelled were higher in WD than in WW fish. WD fish tended to recover levels of swimming activity higher than those before the dark period. This study therefore demonstrates an impact of genetic origin and domestication on swimming activity repertoire (higher reactivity in WW fish), a behavioural trait of particular importance for individual ecological performance. Owing to the contrasted domestication history of the two strains used in the comparison, we assume that the domestication level largely contributes to the behavioural changes observed. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Behavioural studies comparing hatchery and wild-caught fish are useful to improve selection for aquaculture and restocking programmes. We examined swimming behaviour characteristics in wild captured and domesticated sea bass juveniles before and after eliciting a startle response at 8 different ages and always on naive individuals. We specifically investigated whether domestication impacts juvenile sea bass behaviour and whether the first months of captivity induce behavioural modifications in wild juveniles. An apparatus was designed to mimic a predator attack by presenting a sudden visual and mechanical stimuli simultaneously in 8 arenas where single individuals were placed and video recorded. The reactivity response was evaluated and different swimming variables including angular velocity, total distance travelled, mean velocity, immobility and distance from stimulus point were analysed from videos taken 5min before stimulus actuation, 5 and 15min after. Otolith readings showed that wild and domesticated juveniles were of similar age (∼55 days at the start of the experiment and ∼125 at the end of experiment). There were consistent behavioural differences (e.g. higher angular velocity and distance from stimulus point in wild fish) demonstrating that domestication reduces flight response behaviour. There were also similarities between both fish origins (similar response to stimulus actuation: decrease of total distance travelled and mean velocity, increase of angular velocity and immobility). A decrease over time in reactivity and variability in swimming responses among fish of both origins showed that captivity only does not fully explain wild fish behaviour changes and ontogenic modifications are likely interplaying. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Growth-related characters, condition factor, and genetic differentiation were investigated for a single cohort of young-of-the-year (YOY) sole within and among nurseries with differing levels of heavy metals (Cd, Cu and Zn) contamination in the two Charentais Straits, Bay of Biscay, France. Analyses were performed when individuals recruited (May), then after a full summer spent in each nursery (October). Levels of phenotypic and genetic diversity were compared, together with genetic differentiation at a candidate metallothionein (MT) locus and three putatively neutral microsatellite loci. No phenotypic or genetic differentiation was detected among nurseries in May, but significant variation at each phenotypic trait and at the multilocus level in October (P < 0.001). Single locus analysis demonstrated that only the MT locus was significantly differentiated among nurseries, whether corrected for null alleles or not (, respectively; P < 0.001). Results indicate that phenotypic differences among YOY sole nurseries present a molecular correlate acting at identical spatio-temporal scales among nurseries, potentially reflecting differential selective pressure among nurseries in response to contamination. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

• Drum and rolling sounds have been characterized for the first time in black-chinned tilapia Sarotherodon melanotheron. • Rolling sounds produced in courtship differ from drum sounds in aggressive context hampering interspecies communication. • O. niloticus and S. melanotheron produce sounds in interspecific context both in aggressive and non-aggressive situations. • Sounds and behaviours are not correlated to sex steroid levels in these two tilapias. We characterised, for the first-time, the sound production of black-chinned tilapia Sarotherodon melanotheron and show differences with that of Nile tilapia Oreochromis niloticus in a hybridization pairing context. Although both species were able to produce drum sounds, they showed different acoustic features. Drum sounds were produced in aggressive (chasing or lateral attack) and non-aggressive (courtship) contexts by O. niloticus but only in aggressive situations (fleeing or avoidance) by S. melanotheron. The second type of sounds produced by O. niloticus were grunts, produced in both aggressive (chasing and after biting) and non-aggressive contexts (nest building). The second type of sound produced by S. melanotheron was a rolling sound, produced only during courtship. Each species was able to produce common sounds (drum) and species-specific sounds (grunts and rolling). This implies that species can communicate without being able to understand each other because the sounds emitted may probably have different significance. Drumming corresponded only to aggressivity in S. melanotheron , whereas this was not true for O. niloticus. 11-ketotestosterone (11-kt) levels were significantly higher in male O. niloticus than male S. melanotheron , but there was no significant correlation between 11-kt or estradiol concentrations and the number of sounds produced in aggressive or non-aggressive behavioural contexts in either species. During interspecies interactions, O. niloticus drum sounds are likely considered to be aggressive by S. melanotheron and could potentially constitute a reproductive barrier between the two species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study evaluated very small microplastic particle (MPs) transfer to zebrafish and marine medaka larvae via prey experimentally exposed to MPs from the onset of feeding. Larvae were fed Paramecium or Artemia nauplii loaded with fluorescent 1–5 or 10–20 μm MP. Pollutant accumulation was analyzed by optically tracking of benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) and recording cyp1a transcription. Paramecium transferred 1–5 μm particles only, whereas Artemia efficiently transferred both MPs. Although zebrafish and medaka larvae fed from the onset of active food intake (2–3 dph, respectively) on Paramecium and from days 6–7 post-hatch on Artemia nauplii, neither MP accumulation nor translocation to tissues was detected. MP egestion started within few hours after ingestion. Cyp1a induction and fluorescent analyses proved BaP bioavailability after transfer via Paramecium and Artemia. Unicellular or plankton organisms ingest contaminants via MPS and transfer effectively these to sensitive early life-stages of vertebrates, giving rise to whole-life exposure. Image 1 • Microplastics are readily ingested by unicellular or planktonic organisms. • Microplastics are efficiently delivered to fish larvae from these organisms. • Benzo[a]pyrene sorbed on microplastics is transferred from prey to fish larvae. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Groups of fish were exposed to acute stressors (Hypoxia, Hyperoxia, High ammonia). • Behavior was recorded both during stress condition and following stress. • All stress conditions induce a decrease in activity, thigmotaxis and group cohesion. • Novel tank diving test was validated for welfare assessment in European sea bass. • Activity, thigmotaxis and group cohesion are sensitive welfare indicators. In aquaculture, fish are exposed to unavoidable stressors that can be detrimental for their health and welfare. However, welfare in farmed fish can be difficult to assess, and, so far, no standardized test has been universally accepted as a welfare indicator. This work contributes to the establishment of behavioural welfare indicators in a marine teleost in response to different water quality acute stressors. Groups of ten fish were exposed to high Total Ammonia Nitrogen concentration (High TAN, 18 mg.L-1), Hyperoxia (200 % O 2 saturation), Hypoxia (20 % O 2 saturation), or control water quality (100% O 2 saturation and TAN < 2.5 mg.L-1) over 1 hour. Fish were then transferred in a novel environment for a group behaviour test under the same water quality conditions over 2 hours. Videos were recorded to assess thigmotaxis, activity and group cohesion. After this challenge, plasma cortisol concentration was measured in a subsample, while individual behavioural response was measured in the other fish using novel tank diving test. Prior to this study, the novel tank diving test was validated as a behavioural challenge indicative of anxiety state, by using nicotine as anxiolytic drug. Overall, all stress conditions induced a decrease in activity and thigmotaxis and changes in group cohesion while only fish exposed to Hypoxia and High TAN conditions displayed elevated plasma cortisol concentrations. In post -stress condition, activity was still affected but normal behaviour was recovered within the 25 minutes of the test duration. Our work suggests that the activity, thigmotaxis and group cohesion are good behavioural indicators of exposure to degraded water quality, and could be used as standardized measures to assess fish welfare. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Reactive fish showed a slower stress recovery after acute confinement stress. • Serotonin turnover ratio was affected by acute confinement stress. • A positive correlation was shown between plasma cortisol and serotonin turnover ratio. Individual stress coping style (reactive, intermediate and proactive) was determined in 3 groups of 120 pit tagged European seabass using the hypoxia avoidance test. The same three groups (no change in social composition) were then reared according to the standards recommended for this species. Then, 127 days later, individuals initially characterized as reactive, intermediate or proactive were submitted to an acute confinement stress for 30 min. Blood samples were taken to measure plasma cortisol levels 30 min (Stress30) or 150 min (Stress150) after the end of the confinement stress. Individuals were then sacrificed to sample the telencephalon in order to measure the main monoamines and their catabolites (at Stress30 only). Individuals from Stress150 were sampled for whole brain for a transcriptomic analysis. The main results showed that reactive individuals had a lower body mass than intermediate individuals which did not differ from proactive individuals. The physiological cortisol response did not differ between coping style at Stress30 but at Stress150 when intermediate and proactive individuals had recovered pre stress levels, reactive individuals showed a significant higher level illustrating a modulation of stress recovery by coping style. Serotonin turnover ratio was higher in proactive and reactive individuals compared to intermediate individuals and a significant positive correlation was observed with cortisol levels whatever the coping style. Further, the confinement stress led to a general increase in the serotonin turnover comparable between coping styles. Stress150 had a significant effect on target mRNA copy number (Gapdh mRNA copy number decreased while ifrd1 mRNA copy number increased) and such changes tended to depend upon coping style. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]