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.
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
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.