Projected increases in ocean temperature and partial pressure of carbon dioxide (pCO2) due to anthropogenic carbon emissions are expected to significantly alter coastal marine ecosystems, particularly within the Southern California Bight and Northwest Atlantic Ecoregion. These changes may disrupt food web stability through alterations in abiotic conditions. To assess the impacts of elevated temperature and pCO2 on embryonic development in the superorder Decapodiformes, I investigated two mid-trophic squid species, Doryteuthis opalescens and Doryteuthis pealeii, during their paralarval stage. Specifically, I examined metabolic and morphological responses in squid reared in four seawater treatments: combinations of present-day and projected levels of temperature and pCO2 by the end of the century. The results revealed species-specific responses. D. opalescens paralarvae exhibited generally negative responses, including reduced morphological development, under elevated temperature and pCO2 conditions. In contrast, D. pealeii paralarvae demonstrated positive responses, with increased morphological dimensions under the same conditions. Additionally, D. pealeii paralarvae showed elevated O2 consumption rates, while D. opalescens paralarvae exhibited a more subdued metabolic response to temperature increases. These findings highlight significant interspecific variability in responses to future ocean conditions, despite the similarity in life history traits between the two species. This study underscores the complexity of climate change impacts on Decapodiformes and emphasizes the necessity of species-specific assessments to predict ecological consequences for marine organisms.
Arakawa J., 2025. Effects of ocean warming and acidification on the embryonic development of Doryteuthis opalescens and Doryteuthis pealeii. MSc thesis, San Diego State University. Thesis (restricted access).
