Sperm swimming in the polychaete Galeolaria caespitosa shows substantial inter-individual variability in response to future ocean acidification |
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Institution: | 1. Marine Ecology Group, Department of Biological Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW 2109, Australia;2. Department of Biological & Environmental Sciences – Tjärnö, University of Gothenburg, 45296 Strömstad, Sweden |
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Abstract: | The rapidity of ocean acidification intensifies selection pressure for resilient phenotypes, particularly during sensitive early life stages. The scope for selection is greater in species with greater within-species variation in responses to changing environments, thus enhancing the potential for adaptation. We investigated among-male variation in sperm swimming responses (percent motility and swimming speeds) of the serpulid polychaete Galeolaria caespitosa to near- (ΔpH ?0.3) and far-future ocean acidification (ΔpH ?0.5). Responses of sperm swimming to acidification varied significantly among males and were overall negative. Robust sperm swimming behavior under near-future ocean acidification in some males may ameliorate climate change impacts, if traits associated with robustness are heritable, and thereby enhance the potential for adaptation to far-future conditions. Reduced sperm swimming in the majority of male G. caespitosa may decrease their fertilization success in a high CO2 future ocean. Resultant changes in offspring production could affect recruitment success and population fitness downstream. |
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Keywords: | Phenotypic variation pH Broadcast spawning Serpulidae |
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