MEPS Marine Ecology Progress Series Contact the journal Facebook Twitter RSS Mailing List Subscribe to our mailing list via Mailchimp HomeLatest VolumeAbout JournalEditorsTheme Sections 373:285-294 (2008) - DOI: https://doi.org/10.3354/meps07800 Contribution Theme Section 'Effects of ocean acidification on marine ecosystems' Near-future level CO2-driven radically affects larval survival and development in brittlestar Ophiothrix fragilis Sam Dupont1,*, Jon Havenhand2, William Thorndyke1,...

Objectives Recent research has indicated concern for the degree of stress and emotional well-being among university staff. This study examined effectiveness yoga in enhancing resilience to employees. Methods In a randomized controlled trial at British university, we recruited 48 employees them into either or wait-list control group. The group was offered six weeks Dru Yoga, comprising one 60-minute class per week. These classes were by certified Yoga instructor lunchtime from January–March...

Abstract. An increasing number of studies are now reporting the effects ocean acidification on a broad range marine species, processes and systems. Many these investigating sensitive early life-history stages that several major reviews have highlighted as being potentially most susceptible to acidification. Nonetheless there remain few investigations very earliest, critical, process fertilization, still fewer investigated levels relevant for coming century. Here we report near-future (≈−0.35...

Ocean acidification (OA) effects on larvae are partially attributed for the rapidly declining oyster production in Pacific Northwest region of United States. This OA effect is a serious concern SE Asia, which produces >80% world's oysters. Because climate-related stressors rarely act alone, we need to consider oysters combination with warming and reduced salinity. Here, interactive these three larval growth oyster, Crassostrea gigas, were examined. Larvae cultured combinations temperature...

Background Climate change will lead to intense selection on many organisms, particularly during susceptible early life stages. To date, most studies the likely biotic effects of climate have focused mean responses pooled groups animals. Consequently, extent which inter-individual variation mediates different has not been tested. Investigating this is important, since some individuals may be preadapted future scenarios. Methodology/Principal Findings We examined effect CO2-induced pH changes...

Abstract Increased settlement on bacterial biofilms has been demonstrated for a number of marine invertebrate larvae, but the nature cue(s) responsible is not well understood. We tested hypothesis that bay barnacle B alanus improvisus utilizes signal molecules N‐acylhomoserine lactones ( AHL s) as cue selection sites permanent attachment. Single species ‐producing bacteria V ibrio anguillarum , A eromonas hydrophila and S ulfitobacter sp. BR 1 were attractive to settling cypris larvae ....

Theoretical and empirical research during the last decade suggests that increasing species richness often enhances ecosystem processes such as productivity, nutrient cycling, or resistance to disturbance. By analogous reasoning, it can be hypothesized genetic diversity within will have equivalent effects; however, this hypothesis has rarely been tested. We present experimental support for positive effects of intraspecific on a key trait: larval settlement in marine invertebrate, barnacle...

Recent research has shown the potential for nonallopatric speciation, but we lack an adequate understanding of mechanisms prezygotic barriers and how these evolve in presence gene flow. The marine snail Littorina saxatilis distinct ecotypes different shore microhabitats. Ecotypes hybridize contact zones, flow is impeded by assortative mating. Earlier studies have that males females same ecotype copulate longer than mates ecotype. Here report a new mechanism further contributes to...

Larval stages are among those most vulnerable to ocean acidification (OA). Projected atmospheric CO2 levels for the end of this century may lead negative impacts on communities dominated by calcifying taxa with planktonic life stages. We exposed Mediterranean mussel (Mytilus galloprovincialis) sperm and early pHT 8.0 (current pH) 7.6 (2100 level) manipulating pCO2 level (380 1000 ppm). Sperm activity was examined at ambient temperatures (16–17 °C) using individual males as replicates. also...

Salinity plays an important role in shaping coastal marine communities. Near-future climate predictions indicate that salinity will decrease many shallow areas due to increased precipitation; however, few studies have addressed this issue. The ability of ecosystems cope with future changes depend on species' capacities acclimatise or adapt new environmental conditions. Here, we investigated the effects a strong gradient (the Baltic Sea system – Baltic, Kattegat, Skagerrak) plasticity and...

Summary Established models of fertilization kinetics in free-spawning marine invertebrates predict that success is dependent upon sperm swimming velocity. Despite the prevalence these models, there are very few published tests this assumption. To test this, effects characteristics on were studied Galeolaria caespitosa (Polychaeta, Serpulidae). Both activity (% motility) and velocities highly variable within species. Sperm motile for up to 6–7 h after activation; however, mean motility,...

Abstract. Oviparous solitary ascidians, such as Ciona intestinalis (L.), generally spawn freely into the water‐column where eggs are fertilized and develop free‐swimming non‐feeding larvae. In laboratory, both spawning settlement controlled by light. It has been suggested that development time synchronized so larval takes place under optimal light conditions in middle of day when larvae best able to locate shaded habitats. Our observations field populations, however, have shown may settle at...

In species where females store sperm from their mates prior to fertilization, competition is particularly probable. Female Sepia apama are polyandrous and have access packages (spermatangia) deposited by males onto buccal area during mating stored in internal sperm-storage organs (receptacles) located below the beak. Here, we describe structure of stores female's area, use microsatellite DNA analyses determine genetic diversity combine these data with offspring genotypes storage location...

Summary This study examines effects of water temperature on sperm swimming velocity, longevity, respiration, and fertilization success in the free-spawning serpulid polychaete Galeolaria caespitosa. Temperature is expected to influence metabolic rates (and speeds) sperm, may affect through mechanical changing viscosity. To separate physiological temperature, viscosity were manipulated independently. Changes significantly influenced duration activity. In range 11–31°C peak (>80%) observed at...

Barnacles are sessile macro-invertebrates, found along rocky shores in coastal areas worldwide. The euryhaline bay barnacle Balanus improvisus (Darwin, 1854) (= Amphibalanus improvisus) can tolerate a wide range of salinities, but the molecular mechanisms underlying osmoregulatory capacity this truly brackish species not well understood. Aquaporins pore-forming integral membrane proteins that facilitate transport water, small solutes and ions through cellular membranes, have been shown to be...

Squid behavior is synonymous with distinctive body patterns, postures, and movements that constitute a complex visual communication system. These communications are particularly obvious during reproduction. They important for sexual selection have been identified as potential means of species differentiation. Here we present detailed account copulation, mating, egg deposition behaviors from in situ observations the squid Sepioteuthis australis South Australia. We four mating types 85...

Sperm chemotaxis to compounds originating from eggs is common in solitary ascidians. This chemotactic response associated with an increase the activity level of sperm. Here we examine hypothesis that period sperm viability reduced by stimulation increased The and longevity two species ascidian, Ciona intestinalis Ascidiella aspersa, were measured after incubation water had been stored homospecific eggs. Our results showed proportion active egg water. corresponded a sharp decline longevity,...

Physiological and viscosity-induced effects of an acute 10°C reduction in water temperature on the feeding performance trochophore larvae Galeolaria caespitosa were separated. Experiments conducted which 3 10 µm spheres supplied to separately combination. Both physiological components significantly reduced number microspheres ingested by larvae. When both combination, resulted a 60° decline ingested. Increased viscosity alone accounted for over half these total declines. The remaining...

Background In promiscuous species, male fitness is expected to increase with repeated matings in an open-ended fashion (thereby increasing number of partners or probability paternity) whereas female should level out at some optimal copulations when direct and indirect benefits still outweigh the costs courtship copulation. After this peak, additional would incur be under opposing selection. Hence, a sexual conflict over mating frequency may evolve species where females are forced engage...