This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/jun/11/weatherwatch-sunbathing-carp-grow-faster-and-fitter-than-their-timid-cousins
The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 3 | Version 4 |
|---|---|
| Weatherwatch: sunbathing carp grow faster and fitter than their timid cousins | Weatherwatch: sunbathing carp grow faster and fitter than their timid cousins |
| (about 1 month later) | |
| One magic late afternoon in summer, sitting on the bank of a clear, still lake in Hertfordshire, it was possible to see lines of motionless carp on the surface that appeared to be sunbathing. The idea that fish, like snakes and other ectotherms (“cold-blooded” creatures), might enjoy or benefit from sunbathing was dismissed as a childish fancy at the time, but many decades later has been vindicated. | One magic late afternoon in summer, sitting on the bank of a clear, still lake in Hertfordshire, it was possible to see lines of motionless carp on the surface that appeared to be sunbathing. The idea that fish, like snakes and other ectotherms (“cold-blooded” creatures), might enjoy or benefit from sunbathing was dismissed as a childish fancy at the time, but many decades later has been vindicated. |
| A scientific paper shows that carp not only sunbathe, but also gain body heat, grow faster and are fitter as a result. These fish were warmer than their surroundings despite the fact that scientists thought this was impossible because the fish were immersed in cold water. Another key finding is that not all fish gained equally. The darker fish absorbed more warmth than their paler companions and grew faster. | A scientific paper shows that carp not only sunbathe, but also gain body heat, grow faster and are fitter as a result. These fish were warmer than their surroundings despite the fact that scientists thought this was impossible because the fish were immersed in cold water. Another key finding is that not all fish gained equally. The darker fish absorbed more warmth than their paler companions and grew faster. |
| Much stranger was the fact that the personality of the fish mattered. Bolder carp that were prepared to hang about and catch the maximum sunshine did better than timid ones that hid in the reeds. Since carp are widely farmed as a food fish in much of Europe and China, the scientists say these findings are commercially important. It also means these fish might cope better with climate change. | Much stranger was the fact that the personality of the fish mattered. Bolder carp that were prepared to hang about and catch the maximum sunshine did better than timid ones that hid in the reeds. Since carp are widely farmed as a food fish in much of Europe and China, the scientists say these findings are commercially important. It also means these fish might cope better with climate change. |
| Fish | |
| Weatherwatch | Weatherwatch |
| Animal behaviour | Animal behaviour |
| Animals | Animals |
| Wildlife | Wildlife |
| Research | Research |
| Biology | Biology |
| UK weather | UK weather |
| features | features |
| Share on Facebook | Share on Facebook |
| Share on Twitter | Share on Twitter |
| Share via Email | Share via Email |
| Share on LinkedIn | Share on LinkedIn |
| Share on Pinterest | Share on Pinterest |
| Share on WhatsApp | Share on WhatsApp |
| Share on Messenger | Share on Messenger |
| Reuse this content | Reuse this content |