The impact of ocean acidification on the eye, cuttlebone and behaviors of juvenile cuttlefish (Sepiella inermis)

Abstract

The cuttlefish (Sepiella inermis) is an economically important species in the coastal seas of China. The impacts of ocean acidification on the ability of juvenile cuttlefish to select a suitable habitat, its hunting and swimming behavior, remains unknown. We examined behavior-related responses and the eye and cuttlebone structure of juvenile cuttlefish following short-term exposure to CO₂-enriched seawater. The predation success rate decreased with the elevation in CO₂ concentration. In the CO₂ treatment groups, cuttlefish spent more time in the dark zone and the average swimming speed and total swimming distance significantly decreased. The structure of the retina and cuttlebone was affected by seawater acidification. Moreover, apoptotic cells were significantly increased in the eyes. In the wild, the impairment of the eye and cuttlebone may decrease the predation ability of juvenile cuttlefish and negatively affect their ability to select a suitable habitat, which would be detrimental to its population.

Keywords: Light–dark preference; Porosity; Predation; Retina; Swimming.