MEPS 563:81-94 (2017)  -  DOI: https://doi.org/10.3354/meps11977

ABSTRACT: Ocean acidification (OA)—a process describing the ocean’s increase in dissolved carbon dioxide ( pCO₂) and a reduction in pH and aragonite saturation state (Ω_ar) due to higher concentrations of atmospheric CO₂—is considered a threat to bivalve mollusks and other marine calcifiers. While many studies have focused on the effects of OA on shell formation and growth, we present findings on the separate effects of pCO₂, Ω_ar, and pH on larval feeding physiology (initiation of feeding, gut fullness, and ingestion rates) of the California mussel Mytilus californianus. We found that elevated pCO₂ delays initiation of feeding, while gut fullness and ingestion rates were best predicted by Ω_ar; however, pH was not found to have a significant effect on these feeding processes under the range of OA conditions tested. We also modeled how OA impacts on initial shell development and how feeding physiology might subsequently affect larval energy budget components (e.g. scope for growth) and developmental rate to 260 µm shell length, a size at which larvae typically become pediveligers. Our model predicted that Ω_ar impacts on larval shell size and ingestion rates over the initial 48 h period of development would result in a developmental delay to the pediveliger stage of >4 d, compared with larvae initially developing in supersaturated conditions (Ω_ar > 1). Collectively, these results suggest that predicted increases in pCO₂ and reduced Ω_ar values may negatively impact feeding activity and energy balances of bivalve larvae, reducing their overall fitness and recruitment success.

KEY WORDS: Ocean acidification · Feeding · Scope for growth · Larva · Physiology · Mytilus californianus