Whole-transcriptome gene expression responses of bioeroding sponges to ocean acidification (OA)

Coral reef ecosystems are experiencing increased rates of dissolution due to losses in live coral cover coupled with the impacts of ocean acidification (OA) on coral reef calcifiers and bioeroders. While the stimulating effect of OA on bioerosion has been demonstrated experimentally, predominantly in the Pacific, the underlying physiological and molecular mechanisms behind the response are still poorly understood. To address this, we subjected common zooxanthellate (Cliona varians) and azooxanthellate (Pione lampa) Caribbean sponges to pre-industrial (8.15 pH), present-day (8.05 pH), and two future OA scenarios (7.85 pH and 7.75 pH) and evaluated their physiological and transcriptomic responses.