Abstract
Zooplankton are an important link between primary producers and fish. Therefore, it is crucial to address their responses when predicting effects of climate change on pelagic ecosystems. For realistic community-level predictions, several biotic and abiotic climate-related variables should be examined in combination. We studied the combined effects of ocean acidification and global warming predicted for year 2100 with toxic cyanobacteria on the calanoid copepod, Acartia bifilosa. Acidification together with higher temperature reduced copepod antioxidant capacity. Higher temperature also decreased egg viability, nauplii development, and oxidative status. Exposure to cyanobacteria and its toxin had a negative effect on egg production but, a positive effect on oxidative status and egg viability, giving no net effects on viable egg production. Additionally, nauplii development was enhanced by the presence of cyanobacteria, which partially alleviated the otherwise negative effects of increased temperature and decreased pH on the copepod recruitment. The interactive effects of temperature, acidification, and cyanobacteria on copepods highlight the importance of testing combined effects of climate-related factors when predicting biological responses.
Highlights
Zooplankton are the major link between pelagic primary producers and fish (Mauchline 1998)
Higher temperature had a negative effect on egg viability, viable egg production rate, and nauplii development, but no significant effect on egg production rate (Figs 3C–F)
Nodularin had a positive effect on antioxidant capacity and a negative effect on oxidative damage, which resulted in a positive effect on oxidative balance (Table 1)
Summary
Zooplankton are the major link between pelagic primary producers and fish (Mauchline 1998). When predicting effects of climate change on pelagic ecosystems, it is crucial to address zooplankton responses. Ecology and Evolution published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd. Ecology and Evolution published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd How Stressed are Copepods in Future Climate?
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