Data from: UV-B radiation alters movement and thermal selection of zebrafish (Danio rerio)

Temperature and UV-B interact in causing cellular damage and impairing locomotor performance. Here we test the hypothesis that movement and thermal selection of zebrafish (Danio rerio) changes in the presence of UV-B, and that fish which were chronically exposed to UV-B in particular avoid high and low temperature extremes to maximise activities of antioxidant enzymes. Fish chronically (2-3 weeks) exposed to UV-B had increased reactive oxygen species-induced damage to proteins and membranes, and reduced swimming performance at high (>26oC) temperatures. In an open field arena with a thermal gradient, chronically exposed fish avoided high and low temperature extremes compared to control fish. Additionally, both control and chronically exposed fish showed slower voluntary swimming speeds in the presence of UV-B. We suggest that in the presence of UV-B fish may reduce muscular activity to minimise intrinsic reactive oxygen species production. Our data show that the interaction between UV-B and temperature determine movement and microhabitat selection of fish, which is therefore of ecological importance particularly in anthropogenically modified environments.

紫外线-B辐射（UV-B）与温度相互作用，可引发细胞损伤并损害运动能力。本研究旨在验证两项假说：其一，当存在UV-B辐射时，斑马鱼（Danio rerio）的运动行为与温度选择行为会发生改变；其二，长期暴露于UV-B辐射的斑马鱼，会通过规避高低温极端环境来最大化其抗氧化酶活性。暴露时长为2~3周的长期UV-B辐射暴露组斑马鱼，其蛋白质与细胞膜受到活性氧诱导的损伤程度升高，且在高温（>26℃）环境下的游泳能力下降。在配备温度梯度的开放式行为竞技场中，长期暴露组斑马鱼相较于对照组斑马鱼，会规避高低温极端环境。此外，无论对照组还是长期暴露组斑马鱼，在UV-B辐射存在的环境中，其自主游泳速度均有所降低。本研究推测，当处于UV-B辐射环境中时，斑马鱼可能会通过降低肌肉活动量，以减少内源性活性氧的产生。本研究数据表明，UV-B辐射与温度的相互作用决定了鱼类的运动行为与微生境选择，因此该相互作用具有重要的生态学意义，在人为改造的环境中尤为重要。