AB 4:225-233 (2008)  -  DOI: https://doi.org/10.3354/ab00109

ABSTRACT: We investigated the effects of seawater equilibrated with CO₂-enriched air (2000 ppm, pH 7.4) on the early development of the mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis. Mussel embryos were incubated for 144 h (6 d) in control and high-CO₂ seawater to compare embryogenesis, larval growth and morphology with ordinary light, polarized light, and scanning electron microscopy. Embryogenesis was unaffected by exposure to high-CO₂ seawater up to the trochophore stage, but development at the trochophore stage was delayed when the shell began to form. All veliger larvae of the high-CO₂ group showed morphological abnormalities such as convex hinge, protrusion of the mantle and malformation of shells. Larval height and length were 26 ± 1.9% and 20 ± 1.1% smaller, respectively, in the high-CO₂ group than in the control at 144 h. These results are consistent with our previous findings of CO₂ effects on early development of the oyster Crassostrea gigas, although the severity of CO₂ damage appears to be less in M. galloprovincialis, possibly due to differing spawning seasons (oyster: summer; mussel: winter). Results from this and the previous study indicate that high CO₂ (2000 ppm) interferes with early development, particularly with larval shell synthesis, of bivalves; however, vulnerability to high CO₂ differs between species. Taken together with recent studies demonstrating negative impacts of high CO₂ on adult mussels and oysters, results imply a future decrease of bivalve populations in the oceans, unless acclimation to the predicted environmental alteration occurs.

KEY WORDS: Carbon dioxide · pH · Mytilus galloprovincialis · Early development · Ocean acidification · Calcification · Marine bivalves

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Cite this article as: Kurihara H, Asai T, Kato S, Ishimatsu A (2008) Effects of elevated pCO2 on early development in the mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis. Aquat Biol 4:225-233. https://doi.org/10.3354/ab00109 Export citation Share:    Facebook - - linkedIn