Effects of low pCO2 conditions on sea urchin larval size |
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| Authors: | Ryota Suwa Yukihiro Nojiri Tsuneo Ono Yoshihisa Shirayama |
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| Institution: | 1. Seto Marine Biological Laboratory, Field Science Education and Research Center, Kyoto University, , Wakayama, Japan;2. Center for Global Environment Research, National Institute for Environmental Studies, , Ibaraki, Japan;3. Stock Enhancement and Fisheries Oceanography Division, Hokkaido National Fisheries Research Institute, Fisheries Research Agency, , Hokkaido, Japan |
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| Abstract: | Ocean acidification results from an increase in the concentrations of atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) impacts on marine calcifying species, which is predicted to become more pronounced in the future. By the end of this century, atmospheric pCO2 levels will have doubled relative to the pre‐industrial levels of 280 ppm. However, the effects of pre‐industrial pCO2 levels on marine organisms remain largely unknown. In this study, we investigated the effects of pre‐industrial pCO2 conditions on the size of the pluteus larvae of sea urchins, which are known to be vulnerable to ocean acidification. The larval size of Hemicentrotus pulcherrimus significantly increased when reared at pre‐industrial pCO2 level relative to the present one, and the size of Anthocidaris crassispina larvae decreased as the pCO2 levels increased from the pre‐industrial level to the near future ones after 3 days' exposure. In this study, it is suggested that echinoid larvae responded to pre‐industrial pCO2 levels. Ocean acidification may be affecting some sensitive marine calcifiers even at the present pCO2 level. |
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| Keywords: |
Anthocidaris crassispina
carbon dioxide
Hemicentrotus pulcherrimus
ocean acidification pre‐industrial sea urchin |
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