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Water flow rate affects survival of fish offspring
The research is an international collaboration between CRIOBE and the University of Glasgow.
Study of orange-fin anemonefish explores offspring phenotype.

The body shape and survival of fish offspring is affected by the water flow where the adult fish live, a new study has revealed.

A collaboration between the Centre of Island Research and Environmental Observatory (CRIOBE) and the University of Glasgow has found that the survival rate of fish born from parents living under high water flow is 55 per cent lower compared to fish born from parents living under low water flow.

Researchers studied the offspring of orange-fin anemonefish (Amphiprion chrysopterus) from a wild population in Moorea. Fish living under high water flow had offspring that had distinctive fin shapes – an 18 per cent greater caudal fin shape than those living under low water flow. 

Daphne Cortese, postdoctoral researcher at the University of Glasgow, who carried out her PhD at CRIOBE, explained: “On coral reefs, water flow varies between sites, as well as over time. 

“To cope with these varied water flows, fish may present differences in the shape, size and dimensions of their fins and body, as well as in their swimming ability and metabolism.

“However, until now, we’ve not known to what extent these trait differences come from their parents and the environment in which their parents live; via genes or differences the parents have passed on; or if the water flow in which offspring develop determines their traits.”

The water flow does not only impact body shape, but fundamentally, it impacts the survival rate of offspring. The offspring with parents living under high water flow had a survival rate reduced by half in comparison to those with parents living under low water flow.

Ricardo Beldade, Centre National de Recherche Scientifique (CRNS) at CRIOBE, said: “Overall, these findings suggest consequences of living in different environments with likely compromises between parents and offspring traits and survival in wild populations.”

The study has been published in Functional Ecology.

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Practices urged to audit neutering data

News Story 1
 RCVS Knowledge has called on vet practices to audit their post-operative neutering outcomes.

It follows the release of the 2024 NASAN benchmarking report, which collates data from neutering procedures performed on dogs, cats and rabbits.

The benchmarking report enables practices in the UK and Ireland to compare their post-operative outcomes to the national average. This includes the rate of patients lost to follow-up, which in 2024 increased to 23 per cent.

Anyone from the practice can submit the data using a free template. The deadline for next report is February 2026.

Visit the RCVS Knowledge website to complete an audit. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
UK's BSE risk status downgraded

The WOAH has downgraded the UK's international risk status for BSE to 'negligible'.

Defra says that the UK's improved risk status recognises the reputation for having the highest standards for biosecurity. It adds that it demonstrates decades of rigorous animal control.

Outbreaks of Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy, also known as mad cow disease, have previously resulted in bans on Britain's beef exports.

The UK's new status could lead to expanded trade and better confidence in British beef.

Christine Middlemiss, the UK's chief veterinary officer, said: "WOAH's recognition of the UK as negligible risk for BSE is a significant milestone and is a testament to the UK's strong biosecurity measures and the hard work and vigilance of farmers and livestock keepers across the country who have all played their part in managing the spread of this disease.