A comparison of life-history traits in calcifying Spirorbinae polychaetes living along natural pH gradients

Lucey, Noelle M., Lombardi, Chiara, Florio, Maurizio, Rundle, Simon D., Calosi, Piero ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3378-2603 et Gambi, Maria Cristina (2018). A comparison of life-history traits in calcifying Spirorbinae polychaetes living along natural pH gradients. Marine Ecology progress series, 589 . pp. 141-152.

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Résumé

Low-pH vent systems are ideal natural laboratories to study the consequences of long-term low-pH exposure on marine species and thus identify life-history traits associated with low-pH tolerance. This knowledge can help to inform predictions on which types of species may be less vulnerable in future ocean acidification (OA) scenarios. Accordingly, we investigated how traits of calcifying polychaete species (Serpulidae, Spirorbinae) varied with pH using a functional trait analysis at 2 natural pH gradients around the Castello Aragonese islet off Ischia, Italy. We first observed the distribution and abundance patterns of all calcifying polychaete epiphytes in the canopy of Posidonia oceanica seagrass across these gradients. We then used laboratory trials to compare fecundity, settlement success, and juvenile survival in the dominant species from a control (Pileolaria militaris Claparède, 1870) and a low-pH site (Simplaria sp.). We found significantly higher reproductive output, juvenile settlement rates, and juvenile survival in Simplaria sp. individuals from the low-pH site, compared to P. militaris individuals from control pH sites, when observed in their respective in situ pH conditions. Our results suggest that tolerance to low pH may result, in part, from traits associated with successful reproduction and rapid settlement under low-pH conditions. This finding implies that other species with similar life-history traits may respond similarly, and should be targeted for future OA tolerance research. -- Keywords : Ocean acidification ; Calcifiers ; Settlement success ; Fecundity ; Early-life survival ; Serpulidae ; Population resilience.

Type de document :	Article
Validation par les pairs :	Oui
Version du document déposé :	Post-print (version corrigée et acceptée)
Départements et unités départementales :	Département de biologie, chimie et géographie
Déposé par :	DIUQAR UQAR
Date de dépôt :	04 avr. 2023 18:51
Dernière modification :	02 oct. 2023 14:47
URI :	https://semaphore.uqar.ca/id/eprint/2157

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