Ocean acidification alters properties of the exoskeleton in adult tanner crabs, Chionoecetes bairdi

Dickinson, Gary, College of New Jersey, https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1073-1483

Bejerano, Shai, College of New Jersey

Salvador, Trina, College of New Jersey

Makdisi, Christine, College of New Jersey

Patel, Shrey, College of New Jersey

Long, W. Christopher, National Marine Fisheries Service, https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7095-1245

Swiney, Katherine, National Marine Fisheries Service

Foy, Robert, National Marine Fisheries Service

Steffel, Brittan, Florida Institute of Technology

Smith, Kathryn, The Marine Biological Association

Aronson, Richard, Florida Institute of Technology

dickinga@tcnj.edu

Publication date: January 27, 2021

Publisher: Dryad

https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.5mkkwh74w

Citation

Dickinson, Gary et al. (2021), Ocean acidification alters properties of the exoskeleton in adult tanner crabs, Chionoecetes bairdi, Dryad, Dataset, https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.5mkkwh74w

Abstract

Ocean acidification can affect the ability of calcifying organisms to build and maintain mineralized tissue. In decapod crustaceans, the exoskeleton is a multilayered structure composed of chitin, protein, and mineral, predominately magnesian calcite or amorphous calcium carbonate (ACC). We investigated the effects of acidification on the exoskeleton of mature (post-terminal-molt) female southern Tanner crabs, Chionoecetes bairdi. Crabs were exposed to one of three pH levels—8.1, 7.8, or 7.5—for two years. Reduced pH led to a suite of body-region-specific effects on the exoskeleton. Microhardness of the claw was 38% lower in crabs at pH 7.5 compared with those at pH 8.1, but carapace microhardness was unaffected by pH. In contrast, reduced pH altered elemental content in the carapace (reduced calcium, increased magnesium), but not the claw. Diminished structural integrity and thinning of the exoskeleton was observed at reduced pH in both body regions; internal erosion of the carapace was present in most crabs at pH 7.5, and the claws of these crabs showed substantial external erosion, with tooth-like denticles nearly or completely worn away. Using infrared spectroscopy, we observed a shift in the phase of calcium carbonate present in the carapace of pH-7.5 crabs: a mix of ACC and calcite was found in the carapace of crabs at pH 8.1, whereas the bulk of calcium carbonate had transformed to calcite in pH-7.5 crabs. With limited capacity for repair, the exoskeleton of long-lived crabs that undergo a terminal molt, such as C. bairdi, may be especially susceptible to ocean acidification.

Funding

North Pacific Research Board, Award: Project #1010

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Ocean Acidification Program

National Science Foundation, Award: ANT-1141877

National Science Foundation, Award: DMR-1905466