Multiple stressor studies are needed to better understand the effects of oceanic changes on marine organisms. To determine the effects of near-future ocean acidification and warming temperature on young of the year red king crab (Paralithodes camtschaticus) survival, growth, and morphology, we conducted a long-term (184 d) fully crossed experiment with two pHs and three temperatures: ambient pH (~7.99), pH 7.8, ambient temperature, ambient +2 degrees Celsius, and ambient +4 degrees Celsius, for a total of 6 treatments. Mortality rate increased with both reduced pH and by higher temperatures, but interpretation of the multistressor effects is not straightforward as a clear trend was not observed. A synergetic effect was observed; the pH 7.8 and ambient +4 degrees Celsius temperature treatment had the lowest survival, with only 3% surviving to the end of the experiment. However, antagonistic effects were observed in the pH 7.8 ambient +2 degrees Celsius temperature treatment; the mortality rate in this treatment was less than the mortality rate of each of the stressors individually. Despite the effects on mortality, neither decreased pH nor increased temperature had an effect on growth or morphology. The results of this study combined with other studies suggest that ocean acidification and warming may have profound negative effects on red king crab populations in the upcoming decades unless the species is able to quickly adapt or acclimate to changing conditions.

Impacts of elevated carbon dioxide on marine ecosystems depend on physiological responses to consequential decreased pH and increased temperature. Responses to these environmental factors vary among species and life stages, and interactive effects can be significant. To study effects of decreased pH and increased temperature on juvenile red king crab (RKC, Paralithodes camtschaticus) we exposed individuals to three levels of temperature: 11 degrees Celsius (ambient), 13 degrees Celsius, and 14 degrees Celsius, crossed with three levels of pH: 8.0, 7.8 and 7.5, for a total of nine treatments. To better understand the effect of these environmental changes at the level of genome regulation, we analyzed total RNA of whole crabs using Illumina-based RNA-seq whole-transcriptome sequencing. We assembled a RKC transcriptome using Trinity, annotated the transcriptome using Trinotate, and estimated expression levels using bowtie2, samtools and eXpress. Differentially expressed genes were identified using EdgeR. Genes were clustered by expression patterns. Interactive effects were determined by comparing sets of differentially expressed genes using three statistical models to examine the effect of temperature, the effect of pH, and the interaction between temperature and pH in EdgeR. The largest set of differentially expressed genes encoded proteins involved in regulation of extracellular and cuticular structures, including chitin-binding and calcification related proteins.

This is data from a laboratory experiment in which red and blue king crab (Paralithodes camtschaticus and P. platypus) juveniles were held at three different pH levels (ambient, pH 7.8, and pH 7.5). Growth, survival, feeding and respiration were recorded. The complete methods, which should be read and understood prior to using this data are published as: Long, W.C., Pruisner, P., Swiney, K.M., and Foy, R. 2019. Effects of ocean acidification on respiration, feeding, and growth of juvenile red and blue king crabs (Paralithodes camtschaticus and P. platypus). ICES J. Mar. Sci. 76(5): 1335-1343. https://doi.org/10.1093/icesjms/fsz090.

In this study, we examined how CO2-driven acidification affected the growth and survival of juvenile golden king crab (Lithodes aequispinus), an important fishery species in Alaska. Juveniles were reared from larvae in surface ambient pH seawater at the Kodiak Laboratory. Newly molted early benthic instar crabs were randomly assigned to one of three pH treatments: (1) surface ambient pH ~ 8.2, (2) likely in situ ambient pH 7.8, and (3) pH 7.5. Thirty crabs were held in individual inserts in each treatment for 127 days and checked daily for molting or death. The complete methods, which should be read and understood prior to using this data, are published as: Long, W. C., Swiney, K. M., & Foy, R. J. (2021). Effects of ocean acidification on young of the year golden king crab (Lithodes aequispinus) survival and growth. Marine Biology, 168(8), 126. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00227-021-03930-y.

This is data from a laboratory experiment in which mature female Tanner crabs were held at three different pHs (ambient, pH 7.8, and pH 7.5) for approximately two years. The laboratory exposure started on 2011-06-21 and ended on 2013-07-14. At the end of the exposure period samples of both the exoskeleton and claw were taken. Exoskeleton mechanical and elemental properties were analyzed in both the carapace and the claw. This dataset includes only the data from the cuticle analysis. The results of this work are published as: Dickenson, G.H., Bejerano, S., Salvador, T., Makdisi, C., Patel, S., Long, W.C., Swiney, K.M., Foy, R.J., Steffel, B.V., Smith, K.E., and Aaronson, R.B. 2021. Ocean acidification alters exoskeleton properties in adult Tanner crabs, Chionoecetes baridi. J. Exp. Biol. 224: jeb232819. https://doi.org/10.1242/jeb.232819.

This dataset contains data from manipulated experimental seawater chemistry conditions and Pacific cod (Gadus macrocephalus) embryos and larvae growth and development impacts. The experiment took place from April 6-June 2, 2022 in the Alaska Fisheries Science Center laboratory research facilities at Hatfield Marine Science Center in Newport, Oregon. Embryos and larvae were reared in the laboratory, and were the offspring of strip spawned adults freshly caught near Kodiak Island, Alaska. Experiments occurred for up to 9 weeks at one of six combinations of three temperatures (3, 6, 10 °C) and two CO2 levels (ambient: ~360 µatm; high: ~1560 µatm) in a factorial design. This effort was conducted in support of the research objectives of the NOAA Ocean Acidification Program (OAP).

Juvenile red and blue king crabs (Paralithodes camtschaticus and P. platypus) were exposed to three pH levels: ambient (pH 8.1), pH 7.8, and pH 7.5 for three weeks. Oxygen consumption and feeding ration were determined immediately after exposure to treatment water and after three weeks exposure. Growth can be calculated from the wet mass observations.

This dataset contains model output data that were collected to examine the impact of ocean acidification on fishery yields and profits of red king crab in Bristol Bay. A stage-structured pre-recruit model was developed to capture hypotheses regarding the impact of ocean acidification on the survival of pre-recruit crab. The model was parameterized using life history and survival data for red king crab (Paralithodes camtschaticus) derived from experiments conducted at the National Marine Fisheries Service Kodiak laboratory. A parameterized pre-recruit model was linked to a post-recruit population dynamics model for adult male red king crab in Bristol Bay, Alaska that included commercial fishery harvest. This coupled population dynamics model was integrated with a bioeconomic model of commercial fishing sector profits to forecast how the impacts of ocean acidification on the survival of pre-recruit red king crab will affect yields and profits for the Bristol Bay red king crab fishery fora scenario that includes future ocean pH levels predictions. Expected yields and profits were projected to decline over the next 50-100 years in this scenario given reductions in pre-recruit survival due to decreasing ocean pH levels over time. The target fishing mortality used to provide management advice based on the current harvest policy for Bristol Bay red king crab also declined over time in response to declining survival rates. However, the impacts of ocean acidification due to reduced pre-recruit survival on yield and profits are likely to be limited for the next 10-20 years, and its effects will likely be masked by natural variation in pre-recruit survival. This analysis is an initial step toward a fully integrated under-standing of the impact of ocean acidification on fishery yields and profits, and could be used to focus future research efforts.

This dataset contains laboratory experimental data that were collected to examine the effects of elevated levels of carbon dioxide on the growth of Atlantic surfclam (Spisula solidissima), a species that supports both commercial and recreational fisheries in the Northeast United States. Three levels of carbon dioxide enrichment (low, medium, and high) were delivered to surfclams in a 12-week exposure experiment. All treatments were done in 3 replicates (A, B, C). Approximately every 2 to 3 weeks, 12 individuals were removed from each treatment and measurements of length, width, height, dry tissue, and dry shell were recorded. Length was measured across the longest part of the shell, parallel to the hinge. Width was the thickness of the shell, and height was measured form the hinge to the outer edge of the shell. Dry tissue and dry shell samples were dried at 60°C until constant weight was achieved (~5 days). DIC measurements of carbon dioxide enrichment were taken and analyzed on an Apollo SciTech, while pH was measured weekly with a spectrophotometer. Values reported for DIC, pH, temperature, and salinity are the mean of each treatment during the 12-week experiment. The data indicated that increased carbon dioxide affected growth, tissue mass, and shell weight for Atlantic surfclam.

This dataset contains laboratory experimental data that were collected to examine the effects of elevated levels of carbon dioxide on the growth of Atlantic surfclam (Spisula solidissima), a species that supports both commercial and recreational fisheries in the Northeast United States. Three levels of carbon dioxide enrichment (low, medium, and high) were delivered to surfclams in a 12-week exposure experiment. All treatments were done in 3 replicates (A, B, C). Approximately every 2 to 3 weeks, 12 individuals were removed from each treatment and measurements of length, width, height, dry tissue, and dry shell were recorded. Length was measured across the longest part of the shell, parallel to the hinge. Width was the thickness of the shell, and height was measured form the hinge to the outer edge of the shell. Dry tissue and dry shell samples were dried at 60°C until constant weight was achieved (~5 days). DIC measurements of carbon dioxide enrichment were taken and analyzed on an Apollo SciTech, while pH was measured weekly with a spectrophotometer. Values reported for DIC, pH, temperature, and salinity are the mean of each treatment during the 12-week experiment. The data indicated that increased carbon dioxide affected growth, tissue mass, and shell weight for Atlantic surfclam.