Warning of warming limpets: sea temperature effects upon intertidal rocky assemblages

• DOI: 10.1017/s0025315422001096
• Publication Date: 2023-01-24T08:12:08Z
• Authors: Diana Freitas; Francisco Arenas; Cândida Gomes Vale; Isabel Sousa Pinto; Débora Borges
• Keywords: Limpet; Rocky shore

Abstract Limpets ( Patella spp.) are marine gastropods that inhabit rocky shores along the coasts of Europe, Mediterranean, Macaronesia and north-west coast Africa. Being considered key species, limpets have an important role regulating algal assemblages in coastal communities. The goal this work was to evaluate influence sea temperature on respiration rate four limpet species occurring mainland Portugal, line with predictions from metabolic theory ecology. individuals were collected Portugal exposed temperatures ranging 6–28°C for assessments. Following estimation relationship between oxygen consumption activation energy calculated. In parallel, low high thermal thresholds determined three species. results indicated P. ulyssiponensis increased linearly remaining presented same tendency. values ranged 0.33–0.76 eV. For , highest is more sensitive variations while tested it a higher tolerance limit than other Such findings indicate most susceptible these climate change, tolerance–plasticity trade-off hypothesis. This provides good starting point understanding effect spp. comprehending sensitivity increases under future change scenarios.