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Oxygen supersaturation has negligible effects on warming tolerance across diverse aquatic ectotherms.

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Title: Oxygen supersaturation has negligible effects on warming tolerance across diverse aquatic ectotherms.
Authors: Raby, Graham D., De Bonville, Jeremy, Reynolds, Leroy, Storm, Zoe, Cowan, Zara-Louise, Metz, Moa, Andreassen, Anna H., Pfeufer, Leon, Lechner, Emily R., Stewart, Erin M. C., Leeuwis, Robine H. J., Ern, Rasmus, Silva-Garay, Lorena, Skeeles, Michael R., Roche, Dominique G., Morgan, Rachael, Green, Leon, Speers-Roesch, Ben, Mills, Suzanne C., Clark, Timothy D.
Source: PLoS Biology; 11/4/2025, Vol. 23 Issue 11, p1-15, 15p
Subject Terms: OXYGEN saturation, THERMAL tolerance (Physiology), MARINE ecology, COLD-blooded animals, FRESHWATER ecology, PHYSIOLOGICAL effects of temperature
Abstract: Under the midday sun, when photosynthesizers are producing oxygen, shallow aquatic ecosystems can become supersaturated with oxygen (>100% air saturation) while they simultaneously peak in water temperature. It has been suggested that oxygen supersaturation could protect water-breathing animals from mortality during heatwaves because of the potential role of oxygen in governing thermal tolerance. Here, we conducted a circumglobal assessment of the effects of ecologically relevant oxygen supersaturation (150%, hyperoxia) on warming tolerance (here, measured using critical thermal maximum, CTmax) in 14 aquatic ectotherms from diverse marine and freshwater environments (10 fishes, four decapod crustaceans), in a series of 24 experiments that included 147 CTmax trials and 1,451 animals using two warming rates (0.3°C min−1 and 1°C h−1). In 10 of 14 species, there was no effect of oxygen supersaturation relative to normoxic controls. In four species (two tropical reef fishes and two marine decapod crustaceans), we found mixed evidence for effects of oxygen saturation, with most of the effects being small (ca. 0.2°C–0.3°C). Thus, contrary to predictions, we conclude that oxygen supersaturation is unlikely to protect most water-breathers from heatwaves and therefore few species distribution models or climate risk assessments will benefit from incorporating oxygen supersaturation. Oxygen supersaturation in aquatic ecosystems has been proposed to buffer against heat stress in water-breathing animals. This study re-examines this question in a diverse panel of aquatic ectotherms, showing that hyperoxia has minimal impact on thermal tolerance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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Abstract:Under the midday sun, when photosynthesizers are producing oxygen, shallow aquatic ecosystems can become supersaturated with oxygen (>100% air saturation) while they simultaneously peak in water temperature. It has been suggested that oxygen supersaturation could protect water-breathing animals from mortality during heatwaves because of the potential role of oxygen in governing thermal tolerance. Here, we conducted a circumglobal assessment of the effects of ecologically relevant oxygen supersaturation (150%, hyperoxia) on warming tolerance (here, measured using critical thermal maximum, CT<subscript>max</subscript>) in 14 aquatic ectotherms from diverse marine and freshwater environments (10 fishes, four decapod crustaceans), in a series of 24 experiments that included 147 CT<subscript>max</subscript> trials and 1,451 animals using two warming rates (0.3°C min<sup>−1</sup> and 1°C h<sup>−1</sup>). In 10 of 14 species, there was no effect of oxygen supersaturation relative to normoxic controls. In four species (two tropical reef fishes and two marine decapod crustaceans), we found mixed evidence for effects of oxygen saturation, with most of the effects being small (ca. 0.2°C–0.3°C). Thus, contrary to predictions, we conclude that oxygen supersaturation is unlikely to protect most water-breathers from heatwaves and therefore few species distribution models or climate risk assessments will benefit from incorporating oxygen supersaturation. Oxygen supersaturation in aquatic ecosystems has been proposed to buffer against heat stress in water-breathing animals. This study re-examines this question in a diverse panel of aquatic ectotherms, showing that hyperoxia has minimal impact on thermal tolerance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
ISSN:15449173
DOI:10.1371/journal.pbio.3003413