Characterizing the escape response of juvenile summer flounder Paralichthys dentatus to diel-cycling hypoxia

Swimming speed, angular correlation and expected displacement were measured in juvenile summer flounder Paralichthys dentatus acclimated to either oxygen saturation (c. 7 center dot 8 mg O-2 l-1; saturation-acclimated fish) or diel-cycling hypoxia (cycling between 11 center dot 0 and 2 center dot 0 mg O-2 l-1) for 10 days and subsequently exposed to more severe diel-cycling hypoxia (cycling between 7 center dot 0 and 0 center dot 4 mg O-2 l-1). Saturation-acclimated P. dentatus exhibited an active response to declining dissolved oxygen (DO) by increasing swimming speed, angular correlation and expected displacement to peak levels at 1 center dot 4 mg O-2 l-1 that were 3 center dot 5, 5 center dot 5 and 4 center dot 2 fold, respectively, greater than those at DO saturation. Diel-cycling hypoxia-acclimated P. dentatus also exhibited an active response to declining DO, although it was relatively less pronounced. Diel-cycling hypoxia-acclimated P. dentatus swimming speed, however, still doubled as DO decreased from 7 center dot 0 to 2 center dot 8 mg O-2 l-1. Diel-cycling hypoxia-acclimated P. dentatus did not recover as well from low DO exposure as did saturation-acclimated fish. This was reflected in their relatively more random swimming (low angular correlation between successive moves) and poor maintenance of rank order between individuals during the recovery phase. Even saturation-acclimated P. dentatus did not resume swimming at speeds observed at saturation until DO was 4 center dot 2 mg O-2 l-1. Paralichthys dentatus were very sensitive to decreasing DO, even at DO levels that were not lethal or growth limiting. This sensitivity and their poor recovery may preclude juvenile P. dentatus from using highly productive nursery habitats affected by diel-cycling hypoxia.