Epiphytic hydroids on Posidonia oceanica seagrass meadows are winner organisms under future ocean acidification conditions: evidence from a CO 2 vent system (Ischia Island, Italy)

• Main Authors: C. Gravili, F. Cozzoli, M. C. Gambi
• Format: Text
• Language: unknown
• Published: Taylor & Francis 2021
• Subjects: 59999 Environmental Sciences not elsewhere classified; FOS Earth and related environmental sciences; 39999 Chemical Sciences not elsewhere classified; FOS Chemical sciences; Ecology; FOS Biological sciences; 69999 Biological Sciences not elsewhere classified; Inorganic Chemistry; Ocean acidification
• Online Access: https://dx.doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.14357413.v1; https://tandf.figshare.com/articles/journal_contribution/Epiphytic_hydroids_on_i_Posidonia_oceanica_i_seagrass_meadows_are_winner_organisms_under_future_ocean_acidification_conditions_evidence_from_a_CO_sub_2_sub_vent_system_Ischia_Island_Italy_/14357413/1

Effects of ocean acidification (OA) on the plant phenology and colonization/settlement pattern of the hydrozoan epibiont community of the leaves of the seagrass Posidonia oceanica have been studied at volcanic CO 2 vents off Ischia (Italy). The study was conducted in shallow Posidonia stands (2.5–3.5 m depth), in three stations on the north and three on the south sides of the vent’s area (Castello Aragonese vents), distributed along a pH gradient. At each station, 10–15 P. oceanica shoots were collected every three months for one-year cycle (Sept 2009–2010). The shoot density of Posidonia beds in the most acidified stations along the gradient (pH Sertularia perpusilla, Plumularia obliqua, Clytia hemisphaerica). All hydroids species showed a clear tolerance to low pH levels, including chitinous and non-calcifying forms, likely favoured also by the absence of competition for substratum with the calcareous forms of epiphytes selected against OA.