Oyster reproduction is compromised by acidification experienced seasonally in coastal regions

Atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations have been rising during the past century, leading to ocean acidification (OA). Coastal and estuarine habitats experience annual pH variability that vastly exceeds the magnitude of long-term projections in open ocean regions. Eastern oyster (Crassostrea virgi...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Scientific Reports
Main Authors: Boulais, Myrina, Chenevert, Kyle John, Demey, Ashley Taylor, Darrow, Elizabeth S., Robison, Madison Raine, Roberts, John Park, Volety, Aswani
Format: Text
Language:English
Published: Nature Publishing Group UK 2017
Subjects:
Article
Ocean acidification
Online Access:http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5643346/
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29038546
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-017-13480-3
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Summary:Atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations have been rising during the past century, leading to ocean acidification (OA). Coastal and estuarine habitats experience annual pH variability that vastly exceeds the magnitude of long-term projections in open ocean regions. Eastern oyster (Crassostrea virginica) reproduction season coincides with periods of low pH occurrence in estuaries, thus we investigated effects of moderate (pH 7.5, pCO2 2260 µatm) and severe OA (pH 7.1, pCO2 5584 µatm; and 6.7, pCO2 18480 µatm) on oyster gametogenesis, fertilization, and early larval development successes. Exposure at severe OA during gametogenesis caused disruption in oyster reproduction. Oogenesis appeared to be more sensitive compared to spermatogenesis. However, Eastern oyster reproduction was resilient to moderate OA projected for the near-future. In the context of projected climate change exacerbating seasonal acidification, OA of coastal habitats could represent a significant bottleneck for oyster reproduction which may have profound negative implications for coastal ecosystems reliant on this keystone species.

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