Sanders_2025_JEB_data.xlsx

High environmental <i>P</i>_CO2 in aquatic systems typically impairs physiologyand performance in ectotherms; however, the effects of high CO₂ onprotein degradation, a key process in protein homeostasis and growth,remain poorly understood. In this study, we investigated the effects ofincreasing environmental <i>P</i>_CO2 (ambient, 5000 and 10,000 μatm) onmetabolism, oxidative stress and protein ubiquitination (an indicator ofprotein degradation) in whiteleg shrimp (<i>Penaeus vannamei)</i>. Standardmetabolic rate was elevated by &gt;2-fold at 5000 and 10,000 μatm<i>P</i>_CO2, but this was not associated with increased post-prandialoxygen consumption or oxidative protein damage. However, levels ofprotein K48 ubiquitin were reduced by up to 10-fold at 10,000 μatm<i>P</i>_CO2 compared with ambient controls, suggesting high <i>P</i>_CO2 severelyaffects protein degradation. Our findings reveal that while <i>P. vannamei</i>appear resistant to elevated CO₂, fundamental modifications to proteindegradation and homeostasis may affect long-term performance andgrowth in this species.