Blood Oxygen Capacity Differences in Yellow Perch (Perca flavescens) from Northern Wisconsin Lakes Differing in pH

Authors:
  • JNJay A. Nelson
    Jay A. Nelson
  • JMJohn J. Magnuson
    John J. Magnuson
  • WCWeerewan Chulakasem
    Weerewan Chulakasem
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Abstract
Whether chronic exposure to environmental acidity reduces oxygen loading in fish is still uncertain. We evaluated this question by looking for evidence of adaptations to hypoxia in a population of yellow perch (Perca flavescens) isolated in a well-oxygenated, naturally acidic lake. Perch were sampled directly from this naturally acidic lake (pH 4.5) and two circumneutral lakes, one of which experiences low oxygen. Fish were bled rapidly via cardiac puncture. Hemoglobin, hematocrit, and erythrocyte number were determined by standard methods. Hemoglobin concentrations were highest in perch from the acid lake (6.4 g/dL) intermediate in the neutral lake with anoxic zones (5.7 g/dL) and lowest in the well-oxygenated neutral lake (4.8 g/dL). Increased hemoglobin per red cell accounted for this trend. Slightly larger hematocrits in acid lake perch (41.2 versus 36.2) were achieved through small increases in red cell number and volume. Evidence suggests that these results are part of an adaptational response different from the hematological responses of fish to acute acid exposure.

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