PHYSIOLOGICAL RESPONSES OF LABEO ROHITA TO CLIMATE CHANGE: INSIGHTS FROM AQUATIC ECOSYSTEM ALTERATIONS
Keywords:
Climate Change, Labeo rohita, Temperature Variation, Salinity Stress, Fish Physiology, Growth Hormone (GH), Aquaculture Impacts, Insulin-like Growth Factor (IGF)Abstract
Labeo rohita (rohu), a vital freshwater fish in South Asia, faces significant physiological stress from climate change, affecting regional nutrition and economies. Optimal survival occurs at 25–32°C, but rising temperatures and erratic precipitation reduce growth, protein efficiency, and survival. Temperatures of 34–36°C damage yolk and embryos, slowing hatching or causing total mortality. Salinity increases from seawater intrusion further impair survival, gill function, osmoregulation, and erythrocyte physiology. Thermal stress also suppresses growth hormone and insulin-like growth factor expression, compromising growth and immunity. Given rohu’s economic and nutritional importance, adaptive strategies and improved management practices are critical to mitigate climate-induced impacts and sustain population health.
