The development of contemporary European sea bass larvae (Dicentrarchus labrax) is not affected by projected ocean acidification scenarios

• Published in: Marine Biology
• Main Authors: Crespel, Amélie, Zambonino-Infante, José‑Luis, Mazurais, David, Koumoundouros, George, Fragkoulis, Stefanos, Quazuguel, Patrick, Huelvan, Christine, Madec, Laurianne, Servili, Arianna, Claireaux, Guy
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Springer 2017
• Subjects: Ocean acidification
• Online Access: https://eprints.gla.ac.uk/142363/; https://eprints.gla.ac.uk/142363/1/142363.pdf

Ocean acidifcation is a recognized consequence of anthropogenic carbon dioxide (CO2) emission in the atmosphere. Despite its threat to marine ecosystems, little is presently known about the capacity for fsh to respond effciently to this acidifcation. In adult fsh, acid–base regulatory capacities are believed to be relatively competent to respond to hypercapnic conditions. However, fsh in early life stage could be particularly sensitive to environmental factors as organs and important physiological functions become progressively operational during this period. In this study, the response of European sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) larvae reared under three ocean acidifcation scenarios, i.e., control (present condition, PCO2 = 590 µatm, pH total = 7.9), low acidifcation (intermediate IPCC scenario, PCO2 = 980 µatm, pH total = 7.7), and high acidifcation (most severe IPCC scenario, PCO2 = 1520 µatm, pH total = 7.5) were compared across multiple levels of biological organizations. From 2 to 45 days-post-hatching, the chronic exposure to the different scenarios had limited infuence on the survival and growth of the larvae (in the low acidifcation condition only) and had no apparent effect on the digestive developmental processes. The high acidifcation condition induced both faster mineralization and reduction in skeletal deformities. Global (microarray) and targeted (qPCR) analysis of transcript levels in whole larvae did not reveal any signifcant changes in gene expression across tested acidifcation conditions. Overall, this study suggests that contemporary sea bass larvae are already capable of coping with projected acidifcation conditions without having to mobilize specifc defense mechanisms.