Researchers studying the life cycles of pteropods in the Southern Ocean have found significant differences in how various species withstand oceanic changes, particularly due to ocean acidification from increased CO2 absorption. Pteropods, essential to the marine ecosystem and reliant on carbon ions for shell formation, are vulnerable to lower pH levels in seawater. A study conducted in the north-east Scotia Sea, an area undergoing rapid climate change, examined the life cycles and population dynamics of two dominant species: Limacina rangii and Limacina retroversa.
L. rangii demonstrates resilience by featuring both juvenile and adult forms in winter, providing a safety net against environmental stressors. Conversely, L. retroversa exists only in its adult form during winter, which renders it more susceptible to population declines. The researchers noted that both species face challenges with prolonged exposure to unfavorable conditions, especially when larval stages coincide with intense acidification events.
The findings suggest that L. rangii’s population stability may be better preserved compared to L. retroversa, which could suffer significant impacts if one cohort is compromised. Future research will focus on multiyear data to assess life cycle variability in response to environmental changes.
