Behavioral and mortality responses of the bivalves Scrobicularia plana and Cerastoderma edule to temperature, as indicator of climate change's potential impacts

Abstract

Temperature is one of the most important abiotic factors affected by climate change. It determines physiological processes, ecological patterns and establishes the limits of geographic distribution of species. The induced thermal stress frequently results in physiological and behavioral responses and, in extreme cases, may lead to mortality episodes. Scrobicularia plana and Cerastoderma edule behavioral and mortality responses to temperature were evaluated. Specimens were sampled in the Mondego estuary (Portugal), acclimated and exposed to different temperature treatments (5–35°C). Individual activity and mortality were registered during 120h laboratory assays. Both species showed a thermal optimum for their activity (S. plana: 15–23°C; C. edule: 20–23°C), and survival was mainly affected by high temperature (S. plana: LC50120h=28.86°C; C. edule: LC50120h=28.01°C), with 100% mortality above critical values (≥32°C). Results further indicated that both species are more affected the higher the temperature and the longer the exposure time. This study indicates that the occurrence of extreme climatic events, especially heat waves, may be particularly impairing for these species.