[Coral-List] New publication on-line in Invertebrate Reproduction & Development 2012, 1-10, iFirst

[Szmant, Alina]

FYI, the following publication has appeared on-line.  Please email Pedro Medina-Rosas for a copy if you have problems accessing the paper (pm1469 at uncw..edu<mailto:pm1469 at uncw.edu>)


"CO2 enrichment and reduced seawater pH had no effect on the embryonic development of Acropora palmata (Anthozoa, Scleractinia)."

Pedro Medina-Rosas, Alina M. Szmant and Robert F. Whitehead
Center for Marine Science, University of North Carolina Wilmington, 5600 Marvin K Moss Lane, Wilmington, NC 28409, USA;
Centro Universitario de la Costa, Universidad de Guadalajara, Av U de G 203, Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco 48280, Mexico

Abstract:  The effects of decreased pH, caused by carbon dioxide (CO2) dissolution in seawater (known as ocean acidification (OA)), on the development of newly fertilized eggs of the Caribbean reef-building coral, Acropora palmata, was tested in three experiments conducted during the summers of 2008 and 2009 (two repeats). Three levels of CO2 enrichment were used: present day conditions (400 uatm, pH 8.1) and two CO2-enriched conditions (700 uatm, pH 7.9, and 1000 uatm, pH 7.7). No effects on the progression or timing of development, or embryo and larval size, were detected in any of the three experimental runs. The results show that the embryos and larvae of A. palmata are able to develop normally under seawater pH of at least 0.4 pH units lower than the present levels. Acropora palmata larvae do not usually begin to calcify after settlement, so this study only examined the non-calcifying part of the life cycle of this species. Most of the concern about the effects of OA on marine organisms centers on its effect on calcification. Negative effects of OA on the embryonic development of this species were not found and they may not manifest until the newly settled polyps begin to calcify.

Keywords: Acropora palmata; Caribbean reef coral; embryonic development; ocean acidification

*************************************************************************
Dr. Alina M. Szmant
Professor of Marine Biology
Center for Marine Science and Dept of Biology and Marine Biology
University of North Carolina Wilmington
5600 Marvin Moss Ln
Wilmington NC 28409 USA
tel:  910-962-2362  fax: 910-962-2410  cell: 910-200-3913
http://people.uncw.edu/szmanta
*******************************************************