1
|
Agnetta D, Bonaviri C, Badalamenti F, Di Trapani F, Gianguzza P. Coralline barrens and benthic mega-invertebrates: An intimate connection. MARINE ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2024; 199:106579. [PMID: 38851081 DOI: 10.1016/j.marenvres.2024.106579] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2023] [Revised: 04/25/2024] [Accepted: 06/02/2024] [Indexed: 06/10/2024]
Abstract
Despite considerable progress in understanding the transition from algal forests to coralline barrens, knowledge of coralline barren ecosystems in terms of community composition and functioning is still sparse and important gaps remain to be filled. Using a barren/forest patch system, we tested the hypothesis that the presence of coralline barren enhances the abundance and diversity of benthic mega-invertebrates. We also analysed trophic functional diversity through isotopic analyses of δ13C and δ15N. The distribution of benthic mega-invertebrates biomass differed markedly between coralline barren and algal forest, being more abundant and diverse in the barren state. Isotopic diversity metrics of the benthic mega-invertebrates assemblage indicated comparable trophic structure between the two states, although higher isotopic uniqueness in coralline barren was determined by sea urchins, especially A. lixula, and carnivorous starfish. We showed that in a patchy coralline barren/algal forest system, a more diversified benthic mega-invertebrates assemblage in the barren caused limited trophodynamic changes. This was possibly determined by the behaviour of some trophic groups such as filter feeders, deposit feeders and omnivores. Finally, our results evidence the close association between coralline barrens and benthic mega-invertebrates, contradicting the common view of coralline barrens as depauperate habitats with low diversity and productivity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Davide Agnetta
- National Institute of Oceanography and Applied Geophysics - OGS, Trieste Italy; NBFC, National Biodiversity Future Center, 90133 Palermo, Italy
| | - Chiara Bonaviri
- Department of Earth and Marine Science DiSTeM, University of Palermo; Department of Integrative Marine Ecology, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Fano Marine Center, 61032, Fano, Italy
| | - Fabio Badalamenti
- CNR-IAS - Institute of Anthropic Impacts and Sustainability in Marine Environment, Lungomare Cristoforo Colombo complesso Roosevelt 90149, Palermo; NBFC, National Biodiversity Future Center, 90133 Palermo, Italy
| | | | - Paola Gianguzza
- Department of Earth and Marine Science DiSTeM, University of Palermo; NBFC, National Biodiversity Future Center, 90133 Palermo, Italy.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Mohsen M, Ismail S, Yuan X, Yu Z, Lin C, Yang H. Sea cucumber physiological response to abiotic stress: Emergent contaminants and climate change. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 928:172208. [PMID: 38583632 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.172208] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2023] [Revised: 03/05/2024] [Accepted: 04/02/2024] [Indexed: 04/09/2024]
Abstract
The ocean is facing a multitude of abiotic stresses due to factors such as climate change and pollution. Understanding how organisms in the ocean respond to these global changes is vital to better predicting consequences. Sea cucumbers are popular echinoderms with multiple ecological, nutritional, and pharmaceutical benefits. Here, we reviewed the effects of environmental change on an ecologically important echinoderm of the ocean, aiming to understand their response better, which could facilitate healthy culture programs under environmental changes and draw attention to knowledge gaps. After screening articles from the databases, 142 studies were included on the influence of emergent contaminants and climate variation on the early developmental stages and adults of sea cucumbers. We outlined the potential mechanism underlying the physiological response of sea cucumbers to emerging contaminants and climate change. It can be concluded that the physiological response of sea cucumbers to emergent contaminants differs from their response to climate change. Sea cucumbers could accumulate pollutants in their organs but are aestivated when exposed to extreme climate change. Research showed that the physiological response of sea cucumbers to pollutants indicates that these pollutants impair critical physiological processes, particularly during the more susceptible early phases of development compared to adults, and the accumulation of these pollutants in adults is often observed. For climate change, sea cucumbers showed gradual adaptation to the slight variation. However, sea cucumbers undergo aestivation under extreme conditions. Based on this review, critical suggestions for future research are presented, and we call for more efforts focusing on the co-occurrence of different stressors to extend the knowledge regarding the effects of environmental changes on these economically and ecologically important species.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mohamed Mohsen
- Xiamen Key Laboratory for Feed Quality Testing and Safety Evaluation, Fisheries College, Jimei University, Xiamen, Fujian 361021, China; CAS Key Laboratory of Marine Ecology and Environmental Sciences, Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao 266071, China; Department of Fish Production, Faculty of Agriculture, Al-Azhar University, Nasr City, Cairo 11884, Egypt.
| | - Sherif Ismail
- Environmental Engineering Department, Zagazig University, Zagazig City, 44519, Egypt; Civil and Environmental Engineering Department, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 1H9, Canada
| | - Xiutang Yuan
- Research and Development Center for Efficient Utilization of Coastal Bioresources, Yantai Institute of Coastal Zone Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Yantai, China
| | - Zonghe Yu
- College of Marine Sciences, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Chenggang Lin
- CAS Key Laboratory of Marine Ecology and Environmental Sciences, Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao 266071, China
| | - Hongsheng Yang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Marine Ecology and Environmental Sciences, Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao 266071, China
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Trabelsi W, Fouzai C, Telahigue K, Chetoui I, Nechi S, Chelbi E, Zrelli S, Soudani N. The potential adverse effects of acrylamide on the oxidative stress response, fatty acids profile, and histopathological aspect of the Mediterranean Holothuria forskali respiratory tree. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY 2023; 38:159-171. [PMID: 36178721 DOI: 10.1002/tox.23674] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2022] [Revised: 09/05/2022] [Accepted: 09/16/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Acrylamide (ACR), organic compound, has been widely used owing to its broad spectrum of chemical and industrial applications. This study aims at evaluating the response of the antioxidant defense system, fatty acid composition and histopathological aspect in the respiratory trees of Holothuria forskali against ACR exposure under laboratory conditions. Holothuries were exposed to 5, 10, and 20 mg L-1 ACR concentrations for 5 days. A significant increase in n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids levels especially the arachidonic acid (ARA, C20:4n-6) and its precursor linoleic acid (LA, C18:2n-6) in ACR-treated organisms. Regarding the n-3 levels, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA, C20:5n-3) levels were increased in treated groups despite an acute decrease in docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, C22:6n-3) levels was observed. Our results showed a significant increase in hydrogen peroxide, malondialdehyde, protein carbonyl, and metallothionein levels along with an alteration of the antioxidants status in all treated sea cucumbers. The exposure to ACR prompted the inhibition of Acetylcholinesterase activity in a concentration-dependent manner. The histopathological aspect was marked especially with the infiltration of coelomic cells which confirms our biochemical findings. Our study provided novel insights to create a link between redox status and fatty acid composition disruptions to better understand ACR-triggered toxicity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Wafa Trabelsi
- Laboratory of Ecology, Biology, and Physiology of Aquatic Organisms, Department of Biology, Tunis Faculty of Sciences, University of Tunis El Manar, Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Chaima Fouzai
- Laboratory of Ecology, Biology, and Physiology of Aquatic Organisms, Department of Biology, Tunis Faculty of Sciences, University of Tunis El Manar, Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Khaoula Telahigue
- Laboratory of Ecology, Biology, and Physiology of Aquatic Organisms, Department of Biology, Tunis Faculty of Sciences, University of Tunis El Manar, Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Imene Chetoui
- Laboratory of Ecology, Biology, and Physiology of Aquatic Organisms, Department of Biology, Tunis Faculty of Sciences, University of Tunis El Manar, Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Salwa Nechi
- Anatomy and Cytology Service, CHU Mohamed Taher Maamouri Hospital, Nabeul, Tunisia
| | - Emna Chelbi
- Anatomy and Cytology Service, CHU Mohamed Taher Maamouri Hospital, Nabeul, Tunisia
| | - Sonia Zrelli
- University of Carthage, Faculty of Sciences of Bizerte, Laboratory of Environment Biomonitoring, Hydrobiology Unit, Zarzouna, Tunisia
| | - Nejla Soudani
- Laboratory of Ecology, Biology, and Physiology of Aquatic Organisms, Department of Biology, Tunis Faculty of Sciences, University of Tunis El Manar, Tunis, Tunisia
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Li Z, Ma B, Li X, Lv Y, Jiang X, Ren C, Hu C, Luo P. The Complete Mitochondrial Genome of Stichopus naso (Aspidochirotida: Stichopodidae: Stichopus) and Its Phylogenetic Position. Genes (Basel) 2022; 13:genes13050825. [PMID: 35627210 PMCID: PMC9141342 DOI: 10.3390/genes13050825] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2022] [Revised: 05/02/2022] [Accepted: 05/03/2022] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
The mitochondrial genome is widely used to study the molecular evolution of and perform phylogenetic analyses on animals. In this study, the complete mitochondrial genome (mitogenome) of Stichopus naso was sequenced. The mitogenome was 16,239 bp in length and contained 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs), 22 transfer RNA genes (tRNAs), and 2 ribosomal RNA genes (rRNAs). The genome composition showed positive AT-skew (0.023) and negative GC-skew (−0.158). The order of the mitochondrial genes was consistent with those from the Stichopus and Isostichopus species, whereas it was different from those of other species of Aspidochirotida. The phylogenetic analysis, based on the nucleotide sequences of 13 PCGs through the methods of Bayesian inference (BI) and maximum likelihood (ML), indicated that S. naso has close relationships with S. horrens and S. monotuberculatus, and belongs to a member of Stichopodidae. Our study provides a reference mitogenome for further molecular evolution studies and phylogenetic research on sea cucumbers.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zhuobo Li
- CAS Key Laboratory of Tropical Marine Bio-Resources and Ecology (LMB), Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Applied Marine Biology (LAMB), South China Sea Institute of Oceanology Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510301, China; (Z.L.); (B.M.); (X.L.); (X.J.); (C.R.); (C.H.)
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Bo Ma
- CAS Key Laboratory of Tropical Marine Bio-Resources and Ecology (LMB), Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Applied Marine Biology (LAMB), South China Sea Institute of Oceanology Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510301, China; (Z.L.); (B.M.); (X.L.); (X.J.); (C.R.); (C.H.)
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Xiaomin Li
- CAS Key Laboratory of Tropical Marine Bio-Resources and Ecology (LMB), Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Applied Marine Biology (LAMB), South China Sea Institute of Oceanology Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510301, China; (Z.L.); (B.M.); (X.L.); (X.J.); (C.R.); (C.H.)
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Ying Lv
- Marin College, Beibu Gulf University, Qinzhou 535011, China;
| | - Xiao Jiang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Tropical Marine Bio-Resources and Ecology (LMB), Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Applied Marine Biology (LAMB), South China Sea Institute of Oceanology Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510301, China; (Z.L.); (B.M.); (X.L.); (X.J.); (C.R.); (C.H.)
- Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Guangzhou), Guangzhou 510301, China
| | - Chunhua Ren
- CAS Key Laboratory of Tropical Marine Bio-Resources and Ecology (LMB), Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Applied Marine Biology (LAMB), South China Sea Institute of Oceanology Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510301, China; (Z.L.); (B.M.); (X.L.); (X.J.); (C.R.); (C.H.)
- Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Guangzhou), Guangzhou 510301, China
| | - Chaoqun Hu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Tropical Marine Bio-Resources and Ecology (LMB), Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Applied Marine Biology (LAMB), South China Sea Institute of Oceanology Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510301, China; (Z.L.); (B.M.); (X.L.); (X.J.); (C.R.); (C.H.)
- Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Guangzhou), Guangzhou 510301, China
| | - Peng Luo
- CAS Key Laboratory of Tropical Marine Bio-Resources and Ecology (LMB), Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Applied Marine Biology (LAMB), South China Sea Institute of Oceanology Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510301, China; (Z.L.); (B.M.); (X.L.); (X.J.); (C.R.); (C.H.)
- Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Guangzhou), Guangzhou 510301, China
- Correspondence:
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Schratzberger M, Somerfield PJ. Effects of widespread human disturbances in the marine environment suggest a new agenda for meiofauna research is needed. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2020; 728:138435. [PMID: 32570325 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.138435] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2020] [Revised: 04/01/2020] [Accepted: 04/02/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
The response of an ecological community to a disturbance event, and its capacity to recover, are of major interest to ecologists, especially at a time of increasing frequencies and intensities of environmental change brought about by humans. Meiofauna, a group of small-sized organisms, are an abundant and ubiquitous component of seafloor communities that respond rapidly to environmental change. We summarise the available research on the response of metazoan meiofauna to the most widespread anthropogenic disturbances in the marine environment, including bottom fishing, the introduction of invasive species and anthropogenic climate change. We show that disturbance effects on habitats interact critically with effects on resident meiofauna species. Their responses are consistent with competitive replacement, where disparate disturbance effects on competing species drive shifts in dominance and intra- and interspecific interactions. The widespread replacement of habitat-specific ecological specialists by broadly-adapted ecological generalists and opportunists results in biotic and functional homogenisation of once disparate biotas. Anthropogenic disturbances may facilitate novel interactions among meiofauna species, and between meiofauna and other benthic organisms, but the number and breadth of these interactions is likely to be limited. Knowledge about the dependence of meiofauna species on their environment and on other benthic species has been growing. Future studies will be most meaningful if this knowledge is expanded alongside understanding the potential of locally adapted species to respond to shifts in environmental conditions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Michaela Schratzberger
- Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science, Pakefield Road, Lowestoft NR33 0HT, United Kingdom; Collaborative Centre for Sustainable Use of the Seas, University of East Anglia, Norwich Research Park, Norwich NR4 7TJ, United Kingdom.
| | - Paul J Somerfield
- Plymouth Marine Laboratory, Prospect Place, Plymouth PL1 3DH, United Kingdom
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Wolfe K, Nguyen HD, Davey M, Byrne M. Characterizing biogeochemical fluctuations in a world of extremes: A synthesis for temperate intertidal habitats in the face of global change. GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY 2020; 26:3858-3879. [PMID: 32239581 DOI: 10.1111/gcb.15103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2019] [Accepted: 03/17/2020] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
Coastal and intertidal habitats are at the forefront of anthropogenic influence and environmental change. The species occupying these habitats are adapted to a world of extremes, which may render them robust to the changing climate or more vulnerable if they are at their physiological limits. We characterized the diurnal, seasonal and interannual patterns of flux in biogeochemistry across an intertidal gradient on a temperate sandstone platform in eastern Australia over 6 years (2009-2015) and present a synthesis of our current understanding of this habitat in context with global change. We used rock pools as natural mesocosms to determine biogeochemistry dynamics and patterns of eco-stress experienced by resident biota. In situ measurements and discrete water samples were collected night and day during neap low tide events to capture diurnal biogeochemistry cycles. Calculation of pHT using total alkalinity (TA) and dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) revealed that the mid-intertidal habitat exhibited the greatest flux over the years (pHT 7.52-8.87), and over a single tidal cycle (1.11 pHT units), while the low-intertidal (pHT 7.82-8.30) and subtidal (pHT 7.87-8.30) were less variable. Temperature flux was also greatest in the mid-intertidal (8.0-34.5°C) and over a single tidal event (14°C range), as typical of temperate rocky shores. Mean TA and DIC increased at night and decreased during the day, with the most extreme conditions measured in the mid-intertidal owing to prolonged emersion periods. Temporal sampling revealed that net ecosystem calcification and production were highest during the day and lowest at night, particularly in the mid-intertidal. Characterization of biogeochemical fluctuations in a world of extremes demonstrates the variable conditions that intertidal biota routinely experience and highlight potential microhabitat-specific vulnerabilities and climate change refugia.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kennedy Wolfe
- Marine Spatial Ecology Lab, School of Biological Sciences and ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, University of Queensland, St Lucia, Qld, Australia
- School of Medical Sciences, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Hong D Nguyen
- School of Medical Sciences, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Madeline Davey
- Centre for Biodiversity and Conservation Science, School of Biological Sciences, University of Queensland, St Lucia, Qld, Australia
| | - Maria Byrne
- School of Medical Sciences, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Mohsen M, Zhang L, Sun L, Lin C, Wang Q, Yang H. Microplastic fibers transfer from the water to the internal fluid of the sea cucumber Apostichopus japonicus. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2020; 257:113606. [PMID: 31761598 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2019.113606] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2019] [Revised: 10/06/2019] [Accepted: 11/10/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Microplastics (MPs) are small plastic particles less than 5 mm in diameter. MPs in the form of microfibers (MFs) are widely detected in aquatic habitats and are of high environmental concern. Despite many reports on the effects of MFs on marine animals, their effect on sea cucumbers is still unclear. In addition, our previous filed study has shown that MFs may transfer to the coelomic fluid of the sea cucumber Apostichopus japonicus (A. japonicus). Here, we show how MFs transfer to the coelomic fluid of the sea cucumber. We captured the MFs during their transfer from the water to the coelomic fluid through the respiratory tree. A. japonicus ingested in the MFs along with the water during respiration; the MFs got stuck in the respiratory tree or transferred to the coelomic fluid. The transferred MFs increased during 72 h of exposure and persisted for 72 h after the transfer to clean water. Among the immunity indices, lysozyme (LZM) levels increased in response to the transferred MFs, which confirms the defensive role of LZMs against strange substances. Additionally, non-significantly decreased levels of total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC), malondialdehyde (MDA), peroxidase (POD) and phenol oxidase (PPO) were observed at 24 h and 48 h post-exposure, suggesting minimal oxidative imbalance. Furthermore, there were no significant changes in the speed and the total distance moved by A. japonicus post MFs transfer. This study revealed that MFs transfer and accumulate in the coelomic fluid of A. japonicus.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mohamed Mohsen
- CAS Key Laboratory of Marine Ecology and Environmental Sciences, Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao, 266071, China; Laboratory for Marine Ecology and Environmental Science, Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao, 266237, China; Center for Ocean Mega-Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao, 266071, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, 19A Yuquan Road, Beijing, 100049, China; Department of Animal Production, Faculty of Agriculture, Al-Azhar University, Nasr City, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Libin Zhang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Marine Ecology and Environmental Sciences, Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao, 266071, China; Laboratory for Marine Ecology and Environmental Science, Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao, 266237, China; Center for Ocean Mega-Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao, 266071, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, 19A Yuquan Road, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Lina Sun
- CAS Key Laboratory of Marine Ecology and Environmental Sciences, Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao, 266071, China; Laboratory for Marine Ecology and Environmental Science, Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao, 266237, China; Center for Ocean Mega-Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao, 266071, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, 19A Yuquan Road, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Chenggang Lin
- CAS Key Laboratory of Marine Ecology and Environmental Sciences, Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao, 266071, China; Laboratory for Marine Ecology and Environmental Science, Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao, 266237, China; Center for Ocean Mega-Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao, 266071, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, 19A Yuquan Road, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Qing Wang
- Research and Development Center for Efficient Utilization of Coastal Bioresources, Yantai Institute of Coastal Zone Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Yantai, 264003, PR China
| | - Hongsheng Yang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Marine Ecology and Environmental Sciences, Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao, 266071, China; Laboratory for Marine Ecology and Environmental Science, Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao, 266237, China; Center for Ocean Mega-Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao, 266071, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, 19A Yuquan Road, Beijing, 100049, China.
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Yuan X, McCoy SJ, Du Y, Widdicombe S, Hall-Spencer JM. Physiological and Behavioral Plasticity of the Sea Cucumber Holothuria forskali (Echinodermata, Holothuroidea) to Acidified Seawater. Front Physiol 2018; 9:1339. [PMID: 30319447 PMCID: PMC6167980 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2018.01339] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2018] [Accepted: 09/05/2018] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Research into the effects of reduced pH caused by rising CO2 on echinoderms has been strongly biased toward those groups which rely heavily on calcification, such as sea urchins. There is very limited information available for groups that are less reliant on calcification, such as sea cucumbers. Moreover, plasticity in physiology and behavior in holothurians, which is considered to be critical to cope with ocean acidification, remains even less understood. Here, we examined the effects of a 22-week exposure to three pH levels (pH 7.97, 7.88, and 7.79) on the responses of adult Holothuria forskali. This is an abundant and ecologically important sea cucumber in shallow waters of the northeast Atlantic and Mediterranean. The holothurians did not exhibit serious acidosis after a 4-week gradually decreased pH exposure, possibly due to the slow acclimation period. After an additional 18 weeks of exposure, coelomic acid-base parameters did not differ significantly among the pH treatments, whereas they were higher than in week 4. Gonad development, defense behavior, and the structure and Ca2+ and Mg2+ concentrations of calcareous endoskeleton deposited in the body wall were all unaffected by decreased levels of seawater pH. No statistical differences were found after 22 weeks, and adult H. forskali showed strong physiological and behavioral plasticity to the effects of lowered seawater pH. While the interpretation of our results is restricted due to small sample sizes, this first long-term study of the effects of seawater acidification on sea cucumbers revealed resilience within the wide natural range of pCO2 found in NE Atlantic coastal waters.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xiutang Yuan
- Marine Biology and Ecology Research Centre, University of Plymouth, Plymouth, United Kingdom
- Plymouth Marine Laboratory, Plymouth, United Kingdom
- National Marine Environmental Monitoring Center, State Oceanic Administration, Dalian, China
| | - Sophie J. McCoy
- Plymouth Marine Laboratory, Plymouth, United Kingdom
- Department of Biological Sciences, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL, United States
| | - Yongfen Du
- Plymouth Marine Laboratory, Plymouth, United Kingdom
- School of Geography and Ocean Science, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | | | - Jason M. Hall-Spencer
- Marine Biology and Ecology Research Centre, University of Plymouth, Plymouth, United Kingdom
- Shimoda Marine Research Centre, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Japan
| |
Collapse
|