Physiological Responses of Aquatic Organisms to Temperature Variations
Summary
Aquatic organisms inhabit environments in which temperature constitutes a principal abiotic driver of physiological function. Fluctuations in water temperature influence metabolic rate, energy allocation, growth, reproduction and survival. Cold acclimation typically slows enzymatic reactions and reduces membrane fluidity, whereas thermal elevation accelerates metabolism but imposes demands on oxygen transport, cardiorespiratory performance and protein stability. To cope with thermal stress, many fish and invertebrates modulate expression of heat shock proteins, adjust levels of circulating hormones such as cortisol and thyroid hormones, and reconfigure ion transport systems to preserve osmotic balance. At the cellular level, oxidative stress may arise from an imbalance between reactive oxygen species production and antioxidant defences, leading to damage of lipids, proteins and DNA. Haematological parameters, including haemoglobin concentration and blood cell counts, often mirror systemic stress and are used as non-invasive biomarkers. Prolonged exposure to suboptimal temperatures can impair growth trajectories, reduce reproductive output and weaken immune competence, with ramifications for population resilience under climate change. Understanding the interplay between thermal regimes and physiological mechanisms is essential for conservation of wild stocks and optimisation of aquaculture, guiding interventions such as selective breeding for thermal tolerance, habitat restoration and management of thermal effluents.
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Physiological Responses of Aquatic Organisms to Temperature Variations publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in physiological responses of aquatic organisms to temperature variations across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
Metabolic rate: Rate of energy consumption by an organism to fuel maintenance, growth and activity.
Specific growth rate (SGR): The percentage change in body weight per unit time, indicating growth efficiency.
Critical thermal maximum (CTmax): The upper temperature limit beyond which an organism loses physiological equilibrium.
Heat shock proteins (HSP): Molecular chaperones that stabilise and refold proteins under conditions of thermal or other cellular stress.
Osmoregulation: Regulation of internal water and ion balance to maintain cellular homeostasis amid environmental fluctuations.
References
- Responses of aquaculture fish to climate change‐induced extreme temperatures: A review. Journal of the World Aquaculture Society (2021).
- Effect of temperature on the growth performance, haematological properties and histomorphology of gill, intestine and liver tissues in juvenile butter catfish Ompok bimaculatus. Aquaculture Fish and Fisheries (2022).
- Nuclear and Cellular Abnormalities of Erythrocytes in Response to Thermal Stress in Common Carp Cyprinus carpio. Frontiers in Physiology (2020).
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