Ectotherms with a calcareous exoskeleton follow the temperature-size rule—evidence from field survey

Abstract

MEPS Marine Ecology Progress Series Contact the journal Facebook Twitter RSS Mailing List Subscribe to our mailing list via Mailchimp HomeLatest VolumeAbout the JournalEditorsTheme Sections MEPS 385:33-37 (2009) - DOI: https://doi.org/10.3354/meps08090 Ectotherms with a calcareous exoskeleton follow the temperature-size rule—evidence from field survey Takahiro Irie1,*, Klaus Fischer2 1Sesoko Station, Tropical Biosphere Research Center, University of the Ryukyus, 3422 Sesoko, Motobu, Okinawa 905-0227, Japan 2Zoological Institute and Museum, University of Greifswald, Johann-Sebastian-Bach-Str. 11/12, 17489 Greifswald, Germany *Email: irie@bio-math10.biology.kyushu-u.ac.jp ABSTRACT: The temperature-size rule, an increase in body size of ectotherms at lower developmental temperatures and vice versa, prevails across taxa. Most studies in this context have focused on either terrestrial or freshwater species, and little is known about marine organisms with calcareous exoskeletons, in which a slower calcium carbonate precipitation may constrain somatic growth at lower temperatures. Further, as the vast majority of data stems from laboratory experiments, little is known about the applicability of the temperature-size rule under field conditions. If applicable, individuals that grow in warmer seasons should metamorphose at a smaller size than those that grow in cooler seasons. Based on this premise, we monitored size at metamorphosis in 2 natural populations of the intertidal gastropod with determinate growth, Monetaria annulus, for 46 mo in Okinawa. Metamorphosis in summer resulted in significantly smaller sizes compared to other seasons. There was a negative relationship between (summer) temperature and size at metamorphosis across populations. These findings suggest that higher temperatures induce a smaller metamorphic size in this species under natural conditions. KEY WORDS: Monetaria annulus · Phenotypic plasticity · Seasonality · Size at metamorphosis Full text in pdf format PreviousNextCite this article as: Irie T, Fischer K (2009) Ectotherms with a calcareous exoskeleton follow the temperature-size rule—evidence from field survey. Mar Ecol Prog Ser 385:33-37. https://doi.org/10.3354/meps08090 Export citation RSS - Facebook - Tweet - linkedIn Cited by Published in MEPS Vol. 385. Online publication date: June 18, 2009 Print ISSN: 0171-8630; Online ISSN: 1616-1599 Copyright © 2009 Inter-Research.