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Interaction of ocean acidification and temperature; the high cost of survival in the brittlestar Ophiura ophiura

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Abstract

This study has demonstrated an interaction between the effect of increased ocean acidity and temperature (40 days exposure) on a number of key physiological parameters in the ophiuroid brittlestar, Ophiura ophiura. Metabolic upregulation is seen in the low pH treatments when combined with low temperature. However, this is far outweighed by the response to elevated temperature (+4.5°C). In the high temperature/low pH treatments treatments (where calcite is undersaturated) there appears to be an energetic trade-off likely in order to maintain net calcification where dissolution of calcium carbonate may occur. This energy deficit results in a ~30% reduction in the rate of arm regeneration at pH 7.3 which is predicted to be reached by the year 2300. This understanding of how O. ophiura responds to ocean acidification, taking into account an interactive effect of temperature, suggests that fitness and survival may indirectly be reduced through slower recovery from arm damage.

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Acknowledgments

The authors thank the crew of RV Sepia for assistance with animal collection, Lara Clark and Helen Findlay for their help in the laboratory and Paul Somerfield for statistical advice. In addition, we are grateful to Chris Hauton and the two anonymous reviewers for their useful comments and constructive criticisms on an earlier draft of this paper. This work contributes to the NERC funded program Oceans 2025 (Theme 3—Coastal and shelf processes). This work is also a contribution to the “European Project on Ocean Acidification” (EPOCA) which received funding from the European Community’s Seventh Framework Programme (FP7/2007-2013) under grant agreement n° 211384.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Plymouth Marine Laboratory, Prospect Place, West Hoe, Plymouth, PL1 3DH, UK

    Hannah L. Wood, D. M. Lowe & S. Widdicombe

  2. Marine Biology & Ecology Research Centre, University of Plymouth, Plymouth, PL4 8AA, UK

    Hannah L. Wood & J. I. Spicer

  3. Department of Marine Ecology—Kristineberg, University of Gothenburg, Kristineberg 566, 450 34, Fiskebäckskil, Sweden

    Hannah L. Wood

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  1. Hannah L. Wood
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  2. J. I. Spicer
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  3. D. M. Lowe
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  4. S. Widdicombe
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Correspondence to Hannah L. Wood.

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Communicated by U. Sommer.

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Wood, H.L., Spicer, J.I., Lowe, D.M. et al. Interaction of ocean acidification and temperature; the high cost of survival in the brittlestar Ophiura ophiura . Mar Biol 157, 2001–2013 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00227-010-1469-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00227-010-1469-6

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