Abstract
Rising sea temperatures may potentially affect the dispersive larval phase of sessile marine invertebrates with consequences for the viability of adult populations. This study demonstrated that the planktonic larvae of Rhopaloeides odorabile, a common Great Barrier Reef sponge, survived and metamorphosed when exposed to temperatures up to 9°C above the annual maximum (~29°C). Planktonic larval duration of 54 h, at ambient temperatures (~28°C), were reduced to 18 h for larvae exposed to elevated temperatures (32–36°C). Moreover, at ambient temperatures larvae began metamorphosing after 12 h, but at 32–36°C this reduced to only 2 h. Larvae survived and could still metamorphose at temperatures as high as 38°C, but were no longer functional at 40°C. These results imply that predicted increases in sea surface temperature may reduce planktonic larval duration and dispersal capabilities, thereby contributing to population subdivision of the species.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
References
Addessi L (2001) Giant clam bleaching in the lagoon of Takapoto atoll (French Polynesia). Coral Reefs 19:220
Bassim KM, Sammarco PW (2003) Effects of temperature and ammonium on larval development and survivorship in a scleractinian coral (Diploria strigosa). Mar Biol 142:241–252
Berkelmans R, Oliver JK (1999) Large-scale bleaching of corals on the Great Barrier Reef. Coral Reefs 18:55–60
Cossins AR, Bowler K (1987) Temperature biology of animals. Chapman and Hall, London
Efremova SM, Margulis BA, Guzhova IV, Itskovich S, Lauenroth S, Muller WEG, Schroder HC (2002) Heat shock protein Hsp70 expression and DNA damage in Baikalian sponges exposed to model pollutants and wastewater from Baikalsk pulp and paper plant. Aquat Toxicol 57:267–280
Fromont J, Garson M (1999) Sponge bleaching on the West and East coasts of Australia. Coral Reefs 18:340
Hoegh-Guldberg O (1999) Climate change, coral bleaching and the future of the world’s coral reefs. Mar Freshw Res 50:839–866
Kleypas J, Buddemeier R, Archer R, Gattuso J-P, Langdon C, Opdyke B (1999) Geochemical consequences of increased atmospheric carbon dioxide on coral reefs. Science 284:118–120
Levin LA (2006) Recent progress in understanding larval dispersal: new directions and digressions. Intergr Comp Biol 46:282–297
Lough J (2007) Climate change on the Great Barrier Reef. In: Johnson JE, Marshall PA (eds) Climate change in the Great Barrier Reef. Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority and Australian Greenhouse Office, Townsville, pp 15–50
Maldonado M (2006) The ecology of sponge larvae. Can J Zool 84:175–194
Maldonado M, Young CM (1996) Effects of physical factors on larval behaviour, settlement and recruitment on four tropical demosponges. Mar Ecol Prog Ser 138:169–180
Mariani S, Uriz M-J, Turon X, Alcoverro T (2006) Dispersal strategies in sponge larvae: integrating the life history of larvae and the hydrologic component. Oecologia 149:174–184
Negri AP, Marshall PA, Heyward AJ (2007) Differing effects of thermal stress on coral fertilisation and early embryogenesis in four Indo Pacific species. Coral Reefs 26:759–763
O’Connor MI, Bruno JF, Gaines SD, Halpern BS, Letser SE, Kinlan BP, Weiss JM (2007) Temperature control of larval dispersal and the implications for marine ecology, evolution, and conservation. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 104:1266–1271
Pechenik JA (1999) On the advantages and disadvantages of larval stages in benthic marine invertebrate life cycles. Mar Ecol Prog Ser 177:269–297
Przeslawski R (2004) A review of the effects of environmental stress o embryonic development within intertidal gastropod egg masses. Molluscan Res 24:43–63
Rumrill S (1990) Natural mortality of marine invertebrate larvae. Ophelia 32:163–198
Whalan S, Johnson MS, Harvey E, Battershill C (2005) Mode of reproduction and genetic subdivision in the brooding sponge Haliclona sp. Mar Biol 146:425–433
Whalan S (2007) Reproduction, larval dispersal and population genetics of the sponge Rhopaloeides odorabile. Ph.D. Thesis, James Cook University, p 144
Whalan S, Battershill C, de Nys R (2007) Sexual reproduction of the brooding sponge Rhopaloeides odorabile. Corals Reefs 26:655–663
Wilkinson C (1999) Global and local threats to coral reef functioning and existence: review and predictions. Mar Freshw Res 50:867–878
Wilkinson C, Evans E (1989) Sponge distribution across Davies Reef, Great Barrier Reef, relative to location, depth, and water movement. Coral Reefs 8:1–7
Acknowledgements
We thank D. Cocker and A. M. Lynch for assisting in sample collections and laboratory work.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Additional information
Communicated by Biology Editor Dr. Michael Lesser
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Whalan, S., Ettinger-Epstein, P. & de Nys, R. The effect of temperature on larval pre-settlement duration and metamorphosis for the sponge, Rhopaloeides odorabile . Coral Reefs 27, 783–786 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00338-008-0400-9
Received:
Revised:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00338-008-0400-9