Post detailing temperature exposure and experimental design for M. capitata larval temperature experiment in June 2021.

Larval and Tank Set Up

Larval pool of developed larvae was divided into even alloquots - 75% of larvae were allocated into conicals for temperature treatment and 25% of larvae were allocated back into buckets for extra material and samples. In total, we had n=12 conicals (6 per temp) and n=4 buckets at ambient temperature with densities of ~0.8-1.2 larvae per mL, close to target of 1 larva per mL optimal density.

All added to final containers at 2130 on 6/14/2021, temperature treatments will start 6/15/2021.

Cleaned all coolers, conicals, and tanks.

Temperature Treatments and Conditions

Programmed Apex temperatures in preparation for experiment starting on 6/15/2021.

Apex Neptune Aquacontroller system programmed to respond to probe in a conical on high temperature treatment. Probe in ambient tank for monitoring only. No temprature control to ambient tanks.

Ambient natural profile over the last week: 26.2C - 27.5C. Programmed a diel cycle to reflect degree of variation in ambient temperature profile.

High temperature profile will range from 28.8C to 30.1C daily. This reflects a profile ~2-3C above ambient temperatures.

Apex controlled 2 heaters in cooler/header tank and 2 heaters in the water bath with a recirculating pump in each. During the heat of the day all heaters had to be on to reach maximum temperature, so system had to be closely monitored for electrical overloading.

6/15/2021

Temperature treatments were turned “on” at 0800 and reached the target temperature by 1100.