Inter-Research > MEPS > v575 > p107-117  
MEPS
Marine Ecology Progress Series

via Mailchimp

MEPS 575:107-117 (2017)  -  DOI: https://doi.org/10.3354/meps12224

Ocean acidification alters the burrowing behaviour, Ca2+/Mg2+-ATPase activity, metabolism, and gene expression of a bivalve species, Sinonovacula constricta

Chao Peng1, Xinguo Zhao1, Saixi Liu1, Wei Shi1, Yu Han1, Cheng Guo1, Xin Peng2, Xueliang Chai2, Guangxu Liu1,*

1College of Animal Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, PR China
2Zhejiang Mariculture Research Institute, Wenzhou 325000, PR China
*Corresponding author:

ABSTRACT: Although the impacts of ocean acidification on fertilization, embryonic development, calcification, immune response, and behaviour have been well studied in a variety of marine organisms, the physiological and molecular mechanism manifesting acidification stress on behavioural response remains poorly understood. Therefore, the impacts of future ocean acidification scenarios (pH at 7.8, 7.6, and 7.4) on the burrowing behaviour, Ca2+/Mg2+-ATPase activity, metabolism, and expression of energy-producing-related genes of the razor clam Sinonovacula constricta were investigated in the present study. The results showed that elevated CO2 partial pressure ( pCO2) (pH at 7.6 and 7.4) led to a significant reduction in the digging depth of the razor clam. In addition, exposure to pCO2-acidified seawater depressed the metabolism and activity of Ca2+/Mg2+-ATPase, which may partially contribute to the reduced digging depth detected. Furthermore, the expression of energy-producing-related genes was generally induced by exposure to acidified seawater and could be accounted for by an increased energy demand under acidification stress. The results obtained suggest ocean acidification may exert a behavioural impact through altering physiological condition in the razor clam.


KEY WORDS: Ocean acidification · Burrowing behaviour · Metabolism · Gene expression


Full text in pdf format
Cite this article as: Peng C, Zhao X, Liu S, Shi W and others (2017) Ocean acidification alters the burrowing behaviour, Ca2+/Mg2+-ATPase activity, metabolism, and gene expression of a bivalve species, Sinonovacula constricta. Mar Ecol Prog Ser 575:107-117. https://doi.org/10.3354/meps12224

Export citation
Share:    Facebook - - linkedIn

 Previous article Next article