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Variable food alters responses of larval crown-of-thorns starfish to ocean warming but not acidification.

ABSTRACT: Phytoplankton abundance is decreasing and becoming more variable as the ocean climate changes. We examine how low, high, and variable phytoplankton food supply affected the survival, development, and growth of larval crown-of-thorns starfish, Acanthaster sp. exposed to combined warming (26, 30 °C) and acidification (pH 8.0, 7.6). Larvae fed a low food ration are smaller, and develop slower and with more abnormalities than larvae fed a high ration. Larvae fed a variable food supply (low, followed by high ration) overcome the negative effects of low food on development rate and occurrence of abnormalities, but are 16-17% smaller than larvae fed the high ration continuously. Acidification (pH 7.6) slows growth and development and increases abnormalities regardless of the food regime. Warming slows growth and development, but these effects are mitigated by high food availability. As tropical oceans warm, the success of crown-of-thorns starfish larvae may depend on the abundance of their phytoplankton prey.

SUBMITTER: Mos B

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10267210 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Variable food alters responses of larval crown-of-thorns starfish to ocean warming but not acidification.

Mos Benjamin B Mesic Naomi N Dworjanyn Symon A SA

Communications biology 20230614 1

Phytoplankton abundance is decreasing and becoming more variable as the ocean climate changes. We examine how low, high, and variable phytoplankton food supply affected the survival, development, and growth of larval crown-of-thorns starfish, Acanthaster sp. exposed to combined warming (26, 30 °C) and acidification (pH 8.0, 7.6). Larvae fed a low food ration are smaller, and develop slower and with more abnormalities than larvae fed a high ration. Larvae fed a variable food supply (low, followed ...[more]

PMID: 37316528

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Project description:Sporadic outbreaks of the coral-eating crown-of-thorns starfish are likely to be due, at least in part, to spatial and temporal variation in reproductive and settlement success. For gonochoric and broadcast spawning species such as crown-of-thorns starfish, spawning synchrony is fundamental for achieving high rates of fertilization. Highly synchronized gamete release within and among distinct populations is typically the result of the entrainment of neurohormonal endogenous rhythms by cues from the environment. In this study, we conducted multiple spawning assays to test the effects of temperature change, reduced salinity and nutrient enrichment of seawater, phytoplankton, gametes (sperm and eggs), and the combined effect of sperm and phytoplankton on the likelihood of spawning in male and female crown-of-thorns starfish. We also investigated sex-specific responses to each of these potential spawning cues. We found that (1) abrupt temperature change (an increase of 4°C) induced spawning in males, but less so in females; (2) males often spawned in response to the presence of phytoplankton, but none of the females spawned in response to these cues; (3) the presence of sperm in the water column induced males and females to spawn, although additive and synergistic effects of sperm and phytoplankton were not significant; and (4) males are more sensitive to the spawning cues tested and most likely spawn prior to females. We propose that environmental cues act as spawning 'inducers' by causing the release of hormones (gonad stimulating substance) in sensitive males, while biological cues (pheromones) from released sperm, in turn, act as spawning 'synchronizers' by triggering a hormonal cascade resulting in gamete shedding by conspecifics. Given the immediate temporal linkage between the timing of spawning and fertilization events, variability in the extent and synchronicity of gamete release will significantly influence reproductive success and may account for fluctuations in the abundance of crown-of-thorns starfish.

Dataset Information

Variable food alters responses of larval crown-of-thorns starfish to ocean warming but not acidification.

Publications

Variable food alters responses of larval crown-of-thorns starfish to ocean warming but not acidification.

Similar Datasets

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