In a study by Flinders University, molecular ecology researchers have found that freshwater fish species in Australia’s tropical rainforest areas will be increasingly vulnerable to climate change and other changes. The study, which investigated the eastern rainbowfish, found that hydrological and thermal variables were key environmental predictors of genetic and morphological variation in the species. The study highlights the need for effective conservation strategies considering the unique challenges the region’s biodiverse ecosystems face. Adaptations can assist an animal in obtaining food and water, protecting itself from harm, surviving in harsh environments, and reproducing.
How Do Eastern Rainbowfish Adapt to the Changes in Australia’s Tropical Rainforests?
The Eastern Rainbowfish, or Melanotaenia splendida in Latin, is a colorful freshwater fish popular among aquarium enthusiasts. It is native to Australia’s tropical rainforests and is found in rivers, streams, and billabongs. However, like many species, the Eastern Rainbowfish faces various threats to its survival brought about by environmental changes. This article examines how Eastern Rainbowfish adapt to changes in their habitat.
Climate Change
Climate change is a significant driver of change in tropical rainforests, and its effects are felt even by aquatic animals like Eastern Rainbowfish. The rapid and unpredictable changes in rainfall patterns, water temperature, and humidity are significant challenges to the Eastern Rainbowfish, but how do they adapt?
One way is by adjusting their feeding habits. During the rainy season, Eastern Rainbowfish consume abundant insects and crustaceans in the water. However, during the dry season, they switch to feeding on algae and other plant matter that is readily available. This way, the fish can continue to obtain their required nutrients and energy, despite changes in prey availability.
Habitat Loss
Urbanization and deforestation are significant causes of habitat loss, destroying habitats that sustain many species, including Eastern Rainbowfish. These changes also bring about significant disruptions in the fish’s reproductive cycle. Female Eastern Rainbowfish lays their eggs in the vegetation, and when deforestation occurs, this vegetation may be lost, making it difficult for the fish to breed.
Despite this challenge, Eastern Rainbowfish displays remarkable adaptability. They adjust their breeding habitats, looking for quieter and less-disturbed areas like the riverbanks, where they can lay their eggs. The male fish also become more territorial during the breeding season, maintaining their own space and excluding others. This helps safeguard the breeding grounds and promote breeding, even in areas devoid of vegetation.
Invasive Species
Invasive species are non-native plants, animals, or insects that are introduced into a new habitat, causing harm to the biodiversity of native species. These species can outcompete native species for resources, predate on them, or bring new diseases that local species are not adapted to.
Eastern Rainbowfish is one of the species that is threatened by invasive species. One prominent invasive species is the Gambusia, also known as the mosquito fish, a native of the Americas that was introduced in Australia in the early 1900s to control mosquito populations. However, the Gambusia has become a significant predator of Eastern Rainbowfish, eating its eggs and young.
What the Eastern Rainbowfish does is adapt. While the Gambusia may threaten their survival, Eastern Rainbowfish adjust by changing their breeding patterns. This means the fish may breed more often or lay more eggs than expected so that even if predators eat some of them, the species can still survive.
Conclusion
The Eastern Rainbowfish continues to face threats to its survival, but it is an animal that shows remarkable adaptation in response to changing conditions. This adaptation involves changes in feeding habits, breeding grounds, and breeding patterns, which are key strategies to sustain the species in the face of environmental disruptions. Despite facing challenges from climate change, habitat loss, and invasive species, the Eastern Rainbowfish can still survive and thrive in Australia’s tropical rainforests.
