Differential sensitivity of larvae to ocean acidification in two interacting mollusc species

• Anthropogenically-induced ocean acidification (OA) scenarios of decreased pH and altered carbonate chemistry are threatening the fitness of coastal species and hence near-shore ecosystems' biodiversity. Differential tolerances to OA between species at different trophic levels, for example, may alter species interactions and impact community stability. Here we evaluate the effect of OA on the larval stages of the rock oyster, Saccostrea cucullata, a dominant Indo-Pacific ecosystem engineer, and its key predator, the whelk, Reishia clavigera. pH as low as 7.4 had no significant effect on mortality, abnormality or growth of oyster larvae, whereas whelk larvae exposed to pH 7.4 experienced increased mortality (up to similar to 30%), abnormalities (up to 60%) and similar to 3 times higher metabolic rates compared to controls. Although these impacts' long-term consequences are yet to be investigated, greater vulnerability of whelk larvae to OA could impact predation rates on intertidal rocky shores, and have implications for subsequent community dynamics.

Ämnesord

NATURVETENSKAP  -- Biologi -- Ekologi (hsv//swe)

NATURAL SCIENCES  -- Biological Sciences -- Ecology (hsv//eng)

Nyckelord

Saccostrea cucullatn

Reishia clavigera

Larvae

Ocean acidification

Predator

Prey

oysters crassostrea-virginica

marine invertebrate larvae

predator-prey

interactions

mixed-effects models

early-life stages

climate-change

saccostrea-glomerata

calcifying organisms

keystone predation

elevated

pco(2)

Environmental Sciences & Ecology

Marine & Freshwater Biology

Toxicology

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