Adaptation and acclimatization to ocean acidification in marine ectotherms: an in situ transplant experiment with polychaetes at a shallow CO2 vent system.

Piero Calosi*, Samuel P.S. Rastrick, Chiara Lombardi, Guzman HJ de, Laura Davidson, Marlene Jahnke, Adriana Giangrande, Jörg D. Hardege, Anja Schulze, John I. Spicer, Maria Cristina Gambi

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Metabolic rate determines the physiological and life-history performances of ectotherms. Thus, the extent to which such rates are sensitive and plastic to environmental perturbation is central to an organism's ability to function in a changing environment. Little is known of long-term metabolic plasticity and potential for metabolic adaptation in marine ectotherms exposed to elevated pCO2. Consequently, we carried out a series of in situ transplant experiments using a number of tolerant and sensitive polychaete species living around a natural CO2 vent system. Here, we show that a marine metazoan (i.e. Platynereis dumerilii) was able to adapt to chronic and elevated levels of pCO2. The vent population of P. dumerilii was physiologically and genetically different from nearby populations that experience low pCO2, as well as smaller in body size. By contrast, different populations of Amphiglena mediterranea showed marked physiological plasticity indicating that adaptation or acclimatization are both viable strategies for the successful colonization of elevated pCO2 environments. In addition, sensitive species showed either a reduced or increased metabolism when exposed acutely to elevated pCO2. Our findings may help explain, from a metabolic perspective, the occurrence of past mass extinction, as well as shed light on alternative pathways of resilience in species facing ongoing ocean acidification.
Original languageEnglish
Number of pages0
JournalPhilos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci
Volume368
Issue number1627
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2013

Keywords

  • adaptation
  • climate change
  • mass extinction
  • metabolic rate
  • ocean acidification
  • plasticity
  • Acclimatization
  • Adaptation
  • Biological
  • Animals
  • Carbon Dioxide
  • Environment
  • Hydrogen-Ion Concentration
  • Linear Models
  • Mediterranean Sea
  • Polychaeta
  • Seawater
  • Species Specificity

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Adaptation and acclimatization to ocean acidification in marine ectotherms: an in situ transplant experiment with polychaetes at a shallow CO2 vent system.'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this