Morphological response of the larvae of Arbacia lixula to near-future ocean warming and acidification

The distribution of the sea urchin Arbacia lixula, a warm affinity species, has been expanding in the Mediterranean Sea. To address questions on potential for future success of this species in the region, the thermotolerance of larval development was investigated in context of regional warming. The larvae were reared in present day spawning period (20 °C) and warming conditions (+4 = 24 and +6 = 26 °C). As the calcifying larvae of sea urchins are vulnerable to stunted growth caused by ocean acidification, the impact of lower pH (−0.3 pH units) on larval development was also investigated in combination with warming. Morphological traits of the larvae, post-oral length arms, overall length of…

Effects of temperature rising and ocean acidification on reproductive success in the sea urchin Arbacia lixula (L.)

Successo di fecondazione di Arbacia lixula: limitazione da sperma e longevità dei gameti