Abstract
A simple and low-cost method of monitoring and collecting particulate matter detaching from (or interacting with) aquatic animals is described using a novel device based on an airlift pump principle applied to floating cages. The efficiency of the technique in particle collection is demonstrated using polyethylene microspheres interacting with a cyprinid fish (Carassius carassius) and a temporarily parasitic stage (glochidia) of an endangered freshwater mussel (Margaritifera margaritifera) dropping from experimentally infested host fish (Salmo trutta). The technique enables the monitoring of temporal dynamics of particle detachment and their continuous collection both in the laboratory and in situ, allowing the experimental animals to be kept under natural water quality regimes and reducing the need for handling and transport. The technique can improve the representativeness of current experimental methods used in the fields of environmental parasitology, animal feeding ecology and microplastic pathway studies in aquatic environments. In particular, it makes it accessible to study the physiological compatibility of glochidia and their hosts, which is an essential but understudied autecological feature in mussel conservation programs worldwide. Field placement of the technique can also aid in outreach programs with pay-offs in the increase of scientific literacy of citizens concerning neglected issues such as the importance of fish hosts for the conservation of freshwater mussels.
Highlights
The inherent complexity of various ecological processes warrants the efficient combination of laboratory and field experiments
Given the above-described background and the need to develop simple methods that increase information about basic autecological processes, the main aim of this study was to describe a low-cost technique that may be employed in several ecological topics related to conservation physiology of aquatic animals
Host fish (S. trutta) mortality was zero, there were no signs of skin or fin injuries, and the condition factor of fish did not change (P > 0.05) during the experiment
Summary
The inherent complexity of various ecological processes warrants the efficient combination of laboratory and field experiments. Despite the rapid development of tools designed to enhance field data collection (e.g. remote electronic control systems; Burnett et al, 2013; Wilson et al, 2014; Kubiznák et al, 2019) there still exist many research areas where no field-based, low-cost technical solutions are available for primary data collection. This, coupled with the high operational costs and labor requirements of the research facilities needed, makes the laboratory approach unsuitable in many areas of ecology and conservation physiology research
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