Lobster Growth Rates Decline in More Acidic Waters
SEAFOODNEWS.COM [WPRI] By Jeremy Brown - April 2, 2015
The growth and molting rates of juvenile lobsters are likely to decrease significantly as the oceans become increasingly acidic from climate change, making the animals more vulnerable to predation and leading to fewer adult lobsters being available for harvest.
Those are the results of a four-month laboratory study conducted by University of Rhode Island doctoral student Erin McLean. “I’m not sure yet what the mechanism is that is affecting their growth,” she said, “but it takes energy for them to regulate the increased acidity, which is energy they cannot then put toward growth.”
She presented her research findings last week at the annual meeting of the National Shellfisheries Association...
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