Spatio-temporal environmental variation mediates geographical differences in phenotypic responses to ocean acidification.
Phenotypic plasticity is expected to play a major adaptive role in the response of species to ocean acidification (OA), by providing broader tolerances to changes inpCO2conditions. However, tolerances and sensitivities to future OA may differ among populations within a species because of their particular environmental context and genetic backgrounds. Here, using the climatic variability hypothesis (CVH), we explored this conceptual framework in populations of the sea urchinLoxechinus albusacross natural fluctuatingpCO2/pH environments. Although elevatedpCO2affected the morphology, physiology, development and survival of sea urchin larvae, the magnitude of these effects differed among populations. These differences were consistent with the predictions of the CVH showing greater tolerance to OA in populations experiencing greater local variation in seawaterpCO2/pH. Considering geographical differences in plasticity, tolerances and sensitivities to increasedpCO2will provide more accurate predictions for species responses to future OA.
CSIRO Oceans and Atmosphere, Hobart 7001 Tasmania, Australia juandiego.gaitanespitia@csiro.au.|Instituto de Ciencias Ambientales y Evolutivas, Universidad Austral de Chile, Valdivia, Chile.
Juan Diego
0000-0001-8781-5736
JD
Gaitán-Espitia
Instituto de Ciencias Marinas y Limnologicas, Universidad Austral de Chile, Valdivia, Chile.
Paola A
PA
Villanueva
Instituto de Ciencias Marinas y Limnologicas, Universidad Austral de Chile, Valdivia, Chile.
Jorge
J
Lopez
Centro de Investigación en Ecosistema de la Patagonia (CIEP), Coyhaique, Chile.
Rodrigo
R
Torres
Instituto de Ciencias Marinas y Limnologicas, Universidad Austral de Chile, Valdivia, Chile.|Centro FONDAP de Investigación en Dinámica de Ecosistemas Marinos de Altas Latitudes, Valdivia, Chile.
Jorge M
JM
Navarro
Instituto de Ciencias Ambientales y Evolutivas, Universidad Austral de Chile, Valdivia, Chile.
Leonardo D
LD
Bacigalupe
D000818:Animals; D002245:Carbon Dioxide / Q000502:physiology* / Q000633:toxicity; D057231:Climate Change; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D007814:Larva / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development; D010140:Pacific Ocean; D010641:Phenotype; D012617:Sea Urchins / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development*; D012623:Seawater / Q000737:chemistry*
D002245:Carbon Dioxide
Loxechinus albus; climate variability; phenotypic plasticity; tolerance; upwelling