Faculty Sponsor
Michael Tobler
Final Abstract for URS Program
Poecilia mexicana are a species of live-bearing fish that have adapted to surviving in hydrogen sulfide (H2S) abundant waters. Sites that are high in toxic H2S are also characterized by low levels of oxygen, making any organism that inhabits these tough conditions to be deemed extremophiles. Tolerance of these multiple stressors is impacted by numerous external environmental factors. The question being addressed in this study is if diet affects how well these fish tolerate H2S. I used 80 laboratory-bred female P. mexicana originating from two sulfidic and non-sulfidic population. Half of the fish from each population were separated into control and low-food groups. The low food group was fed three days per week while the control group was fed daily. The weights of the two groups were measured and compared at 30-day intervals. After a reduction in body mass is observed in fish from the low-food diet, all fish will undergo sulfide tolerance trials and results will be compared of the differing groups and populations. Results of these trials are still underway, but I expect to see higher H2S tolerance in the sulfidic population and for them to be less affected by a poor diet, as fish who naturally reside in sulfidic environments have lesser-quality diets.
Presentation Type
Visual Presentation
Document Type
Article