Developmental differences in Monterey Sea Lemon (Doris montereyensis) veliger larvae with temperature variation

Abstract

As climate changes, many organisms are affected, and affect their biomes as a result. Nudibranchs, a ubiquitous group of marine organisms, are known for their beautiful colors, but not much for their developing forms. Recently metamorphized nudibranchs have fragile shells and survive in the benthos inhabiting a completely different niche than their grown forms. Doris montereyensis is a widespread dorid nudibranch species native in the Eastern Pacific from British Columbia to Baja California. Its pelagic form hatches in early summer and develops as the water warms. This study looked at how temperature variation affected the development of larval stages (shell length and cross-sectional area). Across three developmental temperatures (9, 15.5 and 20°C), shell length was not seen to increase singificantly, wherease average area was larger in colder conditions. The warmest water treatments saw death in all replicates. This may be due to experimental error or be a sign of a deeper scientific phenomenon. If temperature causes larvae to die, as sea temperature rises, this could be fatal to nudibranch populations, If, as other literature states, growth increases with slight increases in temperature, this may increase the natural range of many species, disrupting ecosystem function. Regardless, further study is needed to quantify the effects of a warming ocean on nudibranch populations.