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Chemoreception of the Seagrass Posidonia Oceanica by Benthic Invertebrates is Altered by Seawater Acidification

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Abstract

Several plants and invertebrates interact and communicate by means of volatile organic compounds (VOCs). These compounds may play the role of infochemicals, being able to carry complex information to selected species, thus mediating inter- or intra-specific communications. Volatile organic compounds derived from the wounding of marine diatoms, for example, carry information for several benthic and planktonic invertebrates. Although the ecological importance of VOCs has been demonstrated, both in terrestrial plants and in marine microalgae, their role as infochemicals has not been demonstrated in seagrasses. In addition, benthic communities, even the most complex and resilient, as those associated to seagrass meadows, are affected by ocean acidification at various levels. Therefore, the acidification of oceans could produce interference in the way seagrass-associated invertebrates recognize and choose their specific environments. We simulated the wounding of Posidonia oceanica leaves collected at two sites (a control site at normal pH, and a naturally acidified site) off the Island of Ischia (Gulf of Naples, Italy). We extracted the VOCs and tested a set of 13 species of associated invertebrates for their specific chemotactic responses in order to determine if: a) seagrasses produce VOCs playing the role of infochemicals, and b) their effects can be altered by seawater pH. Our results indicate that several invertebrates recognize the odor of wounded P. oceanica leaves, especially those strictly associated to the leaf stratum of the seagrass. Their chemotactic reactions may be modulated by the seawater pH, thus impairing the chemical communications in seagrass-associated communities in acidified conditions. In fact, 54 % of the tested species exhibited a changed behavioral response in acidified waters (pH 7.7). Furthermore, the differences observed in the abundance of invertebrates, in natural vs. acidified field conditions, are in agreement with these behavioral changes. Therefore, leaf-produced infochemicals may influence the structure of P. oceanica epifaunal communities, and their effects can be regulated by seawater acidification.

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Acknowledgments

This research was partially funded by the Flagship RITMARE - The Italian Research for the Sea - coordinated by the Italian National Research Council and funded by the Italian Ministry of Education, University and Research. Chingoileima Maibam performed these studies in the frame of an Open University PhD course funded by SZN, under the supervision of V. Zupo. Patrick Fink was supported by an EU Assemble Marine Grant (No. 1060/G6). We are grateful to G. Romano (SZN) for help in the spectrophotometric evaluation of decadienal distribution. We thank Cpt. V. Rando for conducting the operations at sea on board the vessel Phoenicia of Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn.

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  1. Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Center Villa Dohrn for Benthic Ecology, Punta San Pietro, 80077, Ischia, Italy

    Valerio Zupo, Chingoileima Maibam, Maria Cristina Buia, Maria Cristina Gambi, Francesco Paolo Patti, Maria Beatrice Scipione & Maurizio Lorenti

  2. Cologne Biocenter, Department of Aquatic Chemical Ecology, University of Cologne, Zülpicher Straße 47b, 50674, Köln, Germany

    Patrick Fink

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  1. Valerio Zupo
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  2. Chingoileima Maibam
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  3. Maria Cristina Buia
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  4. Maria Cristina Gambi
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  5. Francesco Paolo Patti
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Correspondence to Valerio Zupo.

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Zupo, V., Maibam, C., Buia, M.C. et al. Chemoreception of the Seagrass Posidonia Oceanica by Benthic Invertebrates is Altered by Seawater Acidification. J Chem Ecol 41, 766–779 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10886-015-0610-x

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