Responses of two temperate sponge species to ocean acidification

• Main Authors: Bates, Tracey E. M., Bell, James J.
• Format: Text
• Language: unknown
• Published: Taylor & Francis 2017
• Subjects: Physiology; FOS Biological sciences; 59999 Environmental Sciences not elsewhere classified; FOS Earth and related environmental sciences; Ecology; 69999 Biological Sciences not elsewhere classified; Cancer; Inorganic Chemistry; FOS Chemical sciences; New Zealand; Ocean acidification
• Online Access: https://dx.doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.5382727; https://tandf.figshare.com/articles/journal_contribution/Responses_of_two_temperate_sponge_species_to_ocean_acidification/5382727

There are still major gaps in our understanding of the impact of ocean acidification (OA) on some groups of organisms within different geographic regions. We investigated the effect of OA on two common and ecologically important temperate sponge species in New Zealand ( Tethya bergquistae and Crella incrustans ). Sponges were kept at pH 8 (control) and 7.6 for 4 weeks. Responses of the two species varied, with T. bergquistae kept at pH 7.6 showing some mortality in response to reduced pH and evidence of tissues necrosis. In contrast, only one C. incrustans died in the pH 7.6 treatment and showed little evidence of any tissue degradation. Only T. bergquistae showed evidence for physiological effects of reduced pH as respiration rates were generally higher in the pH 7.6 treatment. Our results provide preliminary evidence to support a general tolerance of temperate sponges to reduced pH, but that some species-specific responses may exist.