Effects of Salinity Variation on the Life History and Thermal Tolerance of the Marine Annelid Ophryotrocha labronica

Description/Abstract/Artist Statement

Climate change has intensified the variability of the ocean, prompting a prioritized investigation into how marine organisms acclimated and adapted to environmental fluctuations. Shallow water species, prevalent in coastal ecosystems, are expected to be particularly impacted by changes in abiotic conditions, such as salinity and temperature, driven by increased evaporation, precipitation rates and heat wave events. This study delved into the role of salinity variation in affecting the life history and thermal tolerance of coastal benthic organisms. More specifically, it investigated the effects of exposure to a spectrum of nine salinity levels (from 12 ‰ to 50 ‰) on the life history (lifespan, growth, and fecundity) and critical thermal maximum and minimum of the marine annelid Ophryotrocha labronica. My findings provide insights into marine organisms’ ability to cope with optimal and suboptimal salinity levels and contribute to understanding whether acclimation to different salinity traded off with the capacity to withstand acute temperature change s, thus offering a mechanistic understanding of marine species’ adaptation strategies in a changing ocean.

Presenting Author Name/s

Gabby Newton

Faculty Advisor/Mentor

Gloria Massamba N'Siala

Faculty Advisor/Mentor Department

Biology

College Affiliation

College of Sciences

Presentation Type

Oral Presentation

Disciplines

Marine Biology | Terrestrial and Aquatic Ecology

Session Title

College of Sciences 1

Location

Learning Commons @Perry Library, Room 1310

Start Date

3-30-2024 9:30 AM

End Date

3-30-2024 10:30 AM

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Mar 30th, 9:30 AM Mar 30th, 10:30 AM

Effects of Salinity Variation on the Life History and Thermal Tolerance of the Marine Annelid Ophryotrocha labronica

Learning Commons @Perry Library, Room 1310

Climate change has intensified the variability of the ocean, prompting a prioritized investigation into how marine organisms acclimated and adapted to environmental fluctuations. Shallow water species, prevalent in coastal ecosystems, are expected to be particularly impacted by changes in abiotic conditions, such as salinity and temperature, driven by increased evaporation, precipitation rates and heat wave events. This study delved into the role of salinity variation in affecting the life history and thermal tolerance of coastal benthic organisms. More specifically, it investigated the effects of exposure to a spectrum of nine salinity levels (from 12 ‰ to 50 ‰) on the life history (lifespan, growth, and fecundity) and critical thermal maximum and minimum of the marine annelid Ophryotrocha labronica. My findings provide insights into marine organisms’ ability to cope with optimal and suboptimal salinity levels and contribute to understanding whether acclimation to different salinity traded off with the capacity to withstand acute temperature change s, thus offering a mechanistic understanding of marine species’ adaptation strategies in a changing ocean.