The purpose of this study was to test the effects of high CO2 exposure on wound healing rates in an elasmobranch fish (Urobatis jamaicensis). Small dermal injuries (8 mm biopsy) closed by 22 days post wounding with a decrease in haematocrit. High CO2 exposure (ΔpH = 1.4) did not influence healing rate or haematocrit. Combined, these data provide evidence that minimally invasive scientific procedures have short-term impacts on elasmobranch fishes even during exposure to a chronic stressor. Therefore, wound healing rates may not be strongly impacted by ocean acidification (ΔpH = 0.4).
Keywords: Urobatis jamaicensis; carbon dioxide; haematology; injury.
© 2020 The Fisheries Society of the British Isles.