Influence of acidification on the population dynamics of Astropecten marginatus and Luidia senegalensis (Echinodermata: Asteroidea)

• Grant number: 13/19826-6
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• Effective date (Start): February 01, 2014
• Effective date (End): November 30, 2017
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Oceanography - Biological Oceanography
• Principal Investigator: Alexander Turra
• Grantee: Wellington Silva Fernandez
• Host Institution: Instituto Oceanográfico (IO). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Associated scholarship(s): 14/12879-0 - The effects of ocean acidification on Astropecten irregularis (Echinodermata: Asteroidea), BE.EP.PD

Abstract

Over the past 250 years, the concentration of carbon dioxide (CO2) in the atmosphere has increased significantly, mainly due to the burning of fossil fuels since the beginning of the industrial age. Almost half of the entire atmospheric CO2 has been absorbed by the oceans, causing the process known as acidification. Estimates indicate that there has been a reduction of 0.1 pH unit in the oceans since the industrial era and, by the end of the 21st century, can occur a possible fall of up to 0.4 units. Ocean acidification (OA) tends to deeply affecting the marine organisms, including, the Echinoderms. Such changes can happen in decrease of saturation level of calcium carbonate (CaCO3) or via acid-base balance disturbances that can affect the energy balance of individuals, with possible consequences in population and community. In this context, this study aims to experimentally assess the influence of the AO on nutrition, regeneration, reproduction, body growth and physiological stress in two sympatric species of starfish, Astropecten marginatus and Luidia senegalensis. In addition, it is intended to infer the possible consequences of the results obtained in the laboratory on the dynamics of populations of these two species in the natural environment. The results obtained will provide unprecedented information about the effects of reduced pH in this group of predators whose significant effect in structuring marine communities has been recurrently registered.

Scientific publications

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

TURRA, ALEXANDER; RAGAGNIN, MARILIA N.; MCCARTHY, IAN D.; FERNANDEZ, WELLINGTON S.. The effect of ocean acidification on the intertidal hermit crab Pagurus criniticornis is not modulated by cheliped amputation and sex. MARINE ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH, v. 153, JAN 2020. (13/19826-6, 14/12879-0, 13/50197-5, 15/02727-0)

TURRA, ALEXANDER; CHECON, HELIO H.; FERNANDEZ, WELLINGTON S.; MAJER, ALESSANDRA P.; DELBONI, CYNTHIA G.; DENADAI, MARCIA R.; DIAS, GUSTAVO M.. The importance of embayed coastal areas for the life cycle of two sympatric starfish species (Echinodermata, Asteroidea). ESTUARINE COASTAL AND SHELF SCIENCE, v. 219, p. 128-138, APR 5 2019. (13/19826-6)

FERNANDEZ, WELLINGTON S.; DIAS, GUSTAVO M.; MAJER, ALESSANDRA P.; DELBONI, CYNTHIA G.; DENADAI, MARCIA R.; TURRA, ALEXANDER. Resource partitioning between sympatric starfish from tropical unconsolidated substrate: Implications for coexistence and top-down control on benthic prey. ESTUARINE COASTAL AND SHELF SCIENCE, v. 196, p. 141-149, SEP 5 2017. (13/19826-6)