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Spatio-temporal variability of polychaete colonization at volcanic CO2 vents indicates high tolerance to ocean acidification

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Abstract

Ocean acidification is predicted to have negative effects on marine biota, resulting in the loss of biodiversity and changes in marine ecosystem structure and function. However, some species and life stages may be capable of thriving in low pH conditions, either due to their natural ability to tolerate stressful low pH–high pCO2 conditions and/or alteration of species interactions caused by changes in pH profiles, or due to evolutionary trade-offs. A better understanding of which species may be capable of tolerating ocean acidification can guide future research into the mechanisms for physiological and ecological resilience to future carbon dioxide (CO2) conditions. We investigated the colonization of selected polychaete species along a pH gradient originating from shallow, coastal volcanic CO2 vents (Ischia, Italy). Colonization was quantified by exposing artificial invertebrate collectors attached to the substratum for 30 days during different periods of the year (late spring, fall and late winter). Three species, Amphiglena mediterranea, Platynereis dumerilii and Syllis prolifera, were present and abundant along the gradient throughout the year. All three species were significantly more abundant in the most acidified areas, confirming their high tolerance and capacity to cope with very low pH. Abundances of all three species were compared to data previously collected via collectors suspended in the water column. More individuals were found in the collectors attached to the substratum, suggesting that abundances may have previously been underestimated. This is likely due to the close proximity of these collectors with the natural rocky substratum. All three species exhibited similar temporal variability, consistent with their life cycle and reproductive biology. Our results demonstrate high tolerance of the species for low and variable pH and corroborate their use as robust models to explore the capacity to cope with low pH–high pCO2 conditions, both in the natural vent systems and in the laboratory.

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Acknowledgments

We would like to acknowledge two anonymous reviewers for their constructive comments on an earlier version of the manuscript. We thank V. Rando and B. Iacono (Benthic Ecology Group, SZN) for their assistance in fieldwork and S. Perkins and P. Messina for their help in sorting the benthos of part of the collectors. We wish also to thank Frieder C., Levin L.A, Calosi P. and Turner L. for allowing to report the carbonate chemistry data of the vent area, collected in collaboration with MCG and ER in different periods. This research was partially supported by the RITMARE project, coordinated by the Italian National Research Council and funded by the Italian Ministry of Education, University and Research within the National Research Program 2011–2013. FM and KK acknowledge financial support through a Chambers fellowship, the Pew Charitable Trust and NSF. ER was supported by a PhD fellowship funded by the Stazione Zoologica A. Dohrn (Naples).

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  1. K. J. Kroeker

    Present address: Bodega Marine Lab, UC Davis 2099 Westshore Road, Bodega Bay, CA, 94923, USA

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratory of Functional and Evolutionary Ecology, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Villa Dohrn Punta San Pietro, 80077, Ischia, Naples, Italy

    Elena Ricevuto, F. Ferrigno & M. C. Gambi

  2. Stanford University, Hopkins Marine Station, 120 Oceanview Blvd., Pacific Grove, CA, 93950, USA

    K. J. Kroeker & F. Micheli

  3. Department of Science and Technology (DiST) Centro Direzionale, University of Naples “Parthenope”, Isola C4, 80143, Naples, Italy

    F. Ferrigno

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  1. Elena Ricevuto
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Correspondence to Elena Ricevuto.

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Ricevuto, E., Kroeker, K.J., Ferrigno, F. et al. Spatio-temporal variability of polychaete colonization at volcanic CO2 vents indicates high tolerance to ocean acidification. Mar Biol 161, 2909–2919 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00227-014-2555-y

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