Changing climate can affect fish fertility

What is it about?

Warmer water temperatures can greatly increase the reproductive capacity of the widely distributed pest fish species gambusia, or mosquito fish. Male gambusia exposed to high water temperatures produced about three times more sperm than those kept in much colder water. As well, the sperm of the males in the warm-water group had faster swimming speeds.

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Why is it important?

The study is the first to show that exposing adult fish to different temperatures changes the quantity and quality of the sperm they produce. The finding may have significant implications for the fertility of fish populations in response to climate change, the researchers say.