Date of Award
5-2020
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Science (MS)
College/School
College of Science and Mathematics
Department/Program
Biology
Thesis Sponsor/Dissertation Chair/Project Chair
Colette J. Feehan
Committee Member
Paul Bologna
Committee Member
Matthew Schuler
Abstract
Coastal marine ecosystems have been identified as at particularly high risk from global climate change. Laboratory mesocosm experiments with model organisms can be useful in elucidating the effects of multiple climate change stressors on marine species. Here I examine the combined effects of marine heatwaves (MHWs) and ocean acidification (OA) on early embryonic development of the sea urchin Arbacia punctulata taken from its cold (northern) range limit in the Northwest Atlantic. I observed additive effects of MHWs and OA on developmental rates, with rates enhanced by MHWs and hindered by OA as compared to ambient conditions. Hence, MHWs mitigated a negative effect of OA on development of the species at its cold range limit. My results provide an improved understanding of how MHWs and OA can combine to affect the sensitive early life-history stages of calcifying marine invertebrates and may be useful in predicting future shifts in species distributions.
File Format
Recommended Citation
Bojorquez, Christian R., "Testing Multiple Climate Stressors at the Cold Range Limit of a Marine Calcifier" (2020). Theses, Dissertations and Culminating Projects. 494.
https://digitalcommons.montclair.edu/etd/494