Variability in larval gut pH regulation defines sensitivity to ocean acidification in six species of the Ambulacraria superphylum.

Hu, Marian Yong-An, Tseng, Yung-Che, Su, Yi-Hsien, Lein, Etienne, Lee, Hae-Gyeong, Lee, Jay-Ron, Dupont, Sam and Stumpp, Meike (2017) Variability in larval gut pH regulation defines sensitivity to ocean acidification in six species of the Ambulacraria superphylum. Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences, 284 (1864). Art. Nr.20171066. DOI 10.1098/rspb.2017.1066.

[thumbnail of 20171066.full.pdf] Text
20171066.full.pdf - Published Version
Restricted to Registered users only

Download (933kB) | Contact

Supplementary data:

Abstract

The unusual rate and extent of environmental changes due to human activities may exceed the capacity of marine organisms to deal with this phenomenon. The identification of physiological systems that set the tolerance limits and their potential for phenotypic buffering in the most vulnerable ontogenetic stages become increasingly important to make large-scale projections. Here, we demonstrate that the differential sensitivity of non-calcifyingAmbulacraria (echinoderms and hemichordates) larvae towards simulated ocean acidification is dictated by the physiology of their digestive systems. Gastric pH regulation upon experimental ocean acidification was compared in six species of the superphylum Ambulacraria.We observed a strong correlation between sensitivity to ocean acidification and the ability to regulate gut pH. Surprisingly, species with tightly regulated gastric pH were more sensitive to ocean acidification. This study provides evidence that strict maintenance of highly alkaline conditions in the larval gut of Ambulacraria early life stages may dictate their sensitivity to decreases in seawater pH. These findings highlight the importance of identifying and understanding pH regulatory systems in marine larval stages that may contribute to substantial energetic challenges under near-future ocean acidification scenarios.

Document Type: Article
Keywords: echinoderm larvae; pH regulation; ocean acidification; stomach pH
Research affiliation: OceanRep > The Future Ocean - Cluster of Excellence
OceanRep > GEOMAR > FB3 Marine Ecology > FB3-EOE-B Experimental Ecology - Benthic Ecology
Kiel University
Refereed: Yes
Open Access Journal?: No
Publisher: Royal Society of London
Related URLs:
Date Deposited: 06 Nov 2017 09:03
Last Modified: 06 Feb 2020 09:08
URI: https://oceanrep.geomar.de/id/eprint/40055

Actions (login required)

View Item View Item