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Description:
Title:
Micro-CT analysis of the Caribbean octocoral Eunicea flexuosa subjected to elevated pCO(2)
Author(s):
Enochs, I. C.
Manzello, D. P.
Wirshing, H. H.
Carlton, R.
Serafy, J.
United States. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research
United States. National Marine Fisheries Service,
United States, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration,
Coral Reef Conservation Program (U.S.)
Corporate Name:
United States. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research
United States. National Marine Fisheries Service,
United States, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration,
Coral Reef Conservation Program (U.S.)
Dates of Publication:
2016
Abstract:
Rising anthropogenic carbon dioxide has resulted in a drop in ocean pH, a phenomenon known as ocean acidification (OA). These acidified waters have many ramifications for diverse marine biota, especially those species which precipitate calcium carbonate skeletons. The permanence of coral reef ecosystems is therefore closely related to OA stress as habitat-forming corals will exhibit reduced calcification and growth. Relatively little is known concerning the fate of other constituent taxa which may either suffer concomitant declines or be competitively favoured in acidified waters. Here, we experimentally (49 d) test the effects of next century predictions for OA (pH = 7.75, pCO(2) = 1081 mu atm) vs. near-present-day conditions (pH = 8.01, pCO(2) = 498 mu atm) on the common Caribbean octocoral Eunicea flexuosa. We measure linear extension of this octocoral and use a novel technique, high-resolution micro-computed tomography, to measure potential differences in the morphology of calcified internal skeletal structures (sclerites) in a 2 mm apical section of each branch. Despite the use of highly accurate procedures, we found no significant differences between treatments in either the growth of E. flexuosa branches or the structure of their sclerites. Our results suggest a degree of resilience to OA stress and provide evidence that this octocoral species may persist on Caribbean coral reefs, despite global change.
Local Corporate Name:
OAR (Oceanic and Atmospheric Research)
NMFS (National Marine Fisheries Service)
CoRIS (Coral Reef Information System)
Type of Resource:
Journal Article
Note:
Rising anthropogenic carbon dioxide has resulted in a drop in ocean pH, a phenomenon known as ocean acidification (OA). These acidified waters have many ramifications for diverse marine biota, especially those species which precipitate calcium carbonate skeletons. The permanence of coral reef ecosystems is therefore closely related to OA stress as habitat-forming corals will exhibit reduced calcification and growth. Relatively little is known concerning the fate of other constituent taxa which may either suffer concomitant declines or be competitively favoured in acidified waters. Here, we experimentally (49 d) test the effects of next century predictions for OA (pH = 7.75, pCO(2) = 1081 mu atm) vs. near-present-day conditions (pH = 8.01, pCO(2) = 498 mu atm) on the common Caribbean octocoral Eunicea flexuosa. We measure linear extension of this octocoral and use a novel technique, high-resolution micro-computed tomography, to measure potential differences in the morphology of calcified internal skeletal structures (sclerites) in a 2 mm apical section of each branch. Despite the use of highly accurate procedures, we found no significant differences between treatments in either the growth of E. flexuosa branches or the structure of their sclerites. Our results suggest a degree of resilience to OA stress and provide evidence that this octocoral species may persist on Caribbean coral reefs, despite global change.
2016
OAR (Oceanic and Atmospheric Research)
NMFS (National Marine Fisheries Service)
CoRIS (Coral Reef Information System)
Submitted
http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/icesjms/fsv159
Other
1952
URL:
DOI:
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