Effects of acidification on olfactory-mediated behaviour in freshwater and marine ecosystems: a synthesis

Leduc, Antoine O.H.C., Munday, Philip L., Brown, Grant E., and Ferrari, Maud C.O, (2013) Effects of acidification on olfactory-mediated behaviour in freshwater and marine ecosystems: a synthesis. Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences, 368 (1627). 20120447 . pp. 1-14.

[img] PDF (Published Version) - Published Version
Restricted to Repository staff only

View at Publisher Website: http://dx.doi.org/10.1098/rstb.2012.0447
 
94
3


Abstract

For many aquatic organisms, olfactory-mediated behaviour is essential to the maintenance of numerous fitness-enhancing activities, including foraging, reproduction and predator avoidance. Studies in both freshwater and marine ecosystems have demonstrated significant impacts of anthropogenic acidification on olfactory abilities of fish and macroinvertebrates, leading to impaired behavioural responses, with potentially far-reaching consequences to population dynamics and community structure. Whereas the ecological impacts of impaired olfactory-mediated behaviour may be similar between freshwater and marine ecosystems, the underlying mechanisms are quite distinct. In acidified freshwater, molecular change to chemical cues along with reduced olfaction sensitivity appear to be the primary causes of olfactory-mediated behavioural impairment. By contrast, experiments simulating future ocean acidification suggest that interference of high CO₂ with brain neurotransmitter function is the primary cause for olfactory-mediated behavioural impairment in fish. Different physico-chemical characteristics between marine and freshwater systems are probably responsible for these distinct mechanisms of impairment, which, under globally rising CO₂ levels, may lead to strikingly different consequences to olfaction. While fluctuations in pH may occur in both freshwater and marine ecosystems, marine habitat will remain alkaline despite future ocean acidification caused by globally rising CO₂ levels. In this synthesis, we argue that ecosystem-specific mechanisms affecting olfaction need to be considered for effective management and conservation practices.

Item ID: 32239
Item Type: Article (Research - C1)
ISSN: 1471-2970
Keywords: climate change, ocean acidification, acid rain, fish behaviour, olfaction, chemoreception
Funders: Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) PVE, Australian Research Council (ARC), Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada
Date Deposited: 09 Apr 2014 06:29
FoR Codes: 06 BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES > 0602 Ecology > 060205 Marine and Estuarine Ecology (incl Marine Ichthyology) @ 100%
SEO Codes: 96 ENVIRONMENT > 9603 Climate and Climate Change > 960307 Effects of Climate Change and Variability on Australia (excl. Social Impacts) @ 100%
Downloads: Total: 3
More Statistics

Actions (Repository Staff Only)

Item Control Page Item Control Page