Effects of ocean acidification on metamorphosis: brooding and spawning larvae

• Main Authors: Chua, Chia-Miin, Schupp, Peter, Leggat, William, Baird, Andrew
• Other Authors: Yellowlees, D., Hughes, T.P.
• Format: Conference Object
• Language: unknown
• Published: James Cook University 2012
• Subjects: Ocean acidification
• Online Access: https://researchonline.jcu.edu.au/22382/1/ICRS2012_8D_1.pdf

The effects of ocean acidification on metamorphosis were tested using the larvae of a spawning coral, Goniastrea retiformis and a brooding coral Leptastrea cf transversa in Guam. Four treatment levels of pCO2 were used, corresponding to current levels of atmospheric CO2 (approximately 380) and three values projected to occur later this century 600, 750 and 1000 ppm). Metamorphosis was not consistently affected by pCO2 in either species. These results suggest that the mode of reproduction does not affect the larval response to pCO2 and furthermore, there will be no direct effects of ocean acidification on settlement rates of reef corals, at least in the near future.