AB 23:147-157 (2015)  -  DOI: https://doi.org/10.3354/ab00615

ABSTRACT: Increasing atmospheric CO₂ can decrease seawater pH and carbonate ions, which may adversely affect the larval survival of calcareous animals. In this study, we simulated future atmospheric CO₂ concentrations (800, 1500, 2000 and 3000 ppm) and examined the effects of ocean acidification on the early development of 3 mollusks (the abalones Haliotis diversicolor and H. discus hannai and the oyster Crassostrea angulata). We showed that fertilization rate, hatching rate, larval shell length, trochophore development, veliger survival and metamorphosis all decreased significantly at different pCO₂ levels (except oyster hatching). H. discus hannai were more tolerant of high CO₂ compared to H. diversicolor. At 2000 ppm CO₂, 79.2% of H. discus hannai veliger larvae developed normally, but only 13.3% of H. diversicolor veliger larvae. Tolerance of C. angulata to ocean acidification was greater than the 2 abalone species; 50.5% of its D‑larvae developed normally at 3000 ppm CO₂. This apparent resistance of C. angulata to ocean acidification may be attributed to their adaptability to estuarine environments. Mechanisms underlying the resistance to ocean acidification of both abalones requires further investigation. Our results suggest that ocean acidification may decrease the yield of these 3 economically important shellfish if increasing CO₂ is a future trend.

KEY WORDS: Ocean acidification · Embryo · Larva · Haliotis diversicolor · Haliotis discus hannai · Crassostrea angulata

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Cite this article as: Guo X, Huang M, Pu F, You W, Ke C (2015) Effects of ocean acidification caused by rising CO2 on the early development of three mollusks. Aquat Biol 23:147-157. https://doi.org/10.3354/ab00615 Export citation Share:    Facebook - - linkedIn