Behavioural Responses of Zebrafish to Environmental Stress

Khadeeja MS, Mariam (2017) Behavioural Responses of Zebrafish to Environmental Stress. Masters thesis, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Kolkata.

PDF (MS dissertation of Mariam Khadeeja MS (12MS024)) 12MS024_MariamKhadeeja_Thesis.pdf - Submitted Version Restricted to Repository staff only Download (986kB)

Abstract

Accelerated climate change and the habitat degradation that comes along with it are major ecological problems faced in today’s world. These processes detrimentally affect all life forms, in various ways. Freshwater ecosystems are under this threat due to their heavy dependence on water availability through precipitation and the added factor of human involvements put them at greater risk. In this scenario, it is necessary to understand how life within these systems react to the stresses put upon them – to what extent is their physiology, morphology, and behaviour affected. Also, such an understanding can throw light into the evolutionary significance of the ongoing processes. In this study, I have tried to look at the behavioural responses of zebrafish to two stresses commonly encountered in freshwater system - hypoxia and hyperthermia. I have tried to assess how the varying levels of dissolved oxygen or temperature in water affects fish behaviour and also, how the duration of exposure to stress plays a part. I hope that the preliminary findings of this project can form a base for further studies aimed at better understanding of stress responses and how they play vital roles in the evolutionary history.

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