Effects of thermal stress and ocean acidification on the larval development of ascidian Boltenia villosa

• Main Author: Vijay, Aakriti
• Language: unknown
• Published: 2024
• Subjects: Boltenia villosa; ascidian; thermal stress; Tadpole; Ocean acidification
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/1773/51434

Climate change and ocean acidification significantly affect the development of many marine organisms, including the solitary ascidian, Boltenia villosa. This study investigates the effects of increased temperature and decreased pH levels on the development and survival rates of B.villosa embryos. It was hypothesised that embryos at higher temperatures would show faster development but lower survival rates while embryos at lower pH conditions would develop slower. In this study, the embryos were exposed to three different temperature conditions, low (9°C), mid (12°C), and high (16°C) and were also placed in seawater that was neutral (pH 7) and a control (pH 8) within each of these temperature settings. The time required for embryos to reach key development stages was observed, as was the survival rate to the tadpole stage. Our results show that embryos subjected to higher temperatures develop faster than those at lower temperatures but have lower survival rates. However, varying pH levels did not significantly affect embryonic development. These findings suggest that warmer temperatures expedite the rate of development but reduce the survivorship of the organism.