Abstract
Ocean warming and acidification due to anthropogenic emissions will significantly impact marine invertebrates , including the commercially and ecologically important mussel, Mytilus galloprovincialis. This thesis investigated the effects of pH decline and rising temperature across life-history traits in mussels, and explored the genetic architecture underlying phenotypic variation. Ocean warming may mitigate negative effects of acidification on sperm behaviour, but elevated temperatures significantly decreased fertilization rates, though there was substantial phenotypic plasticity overall. A quantitative genetic experiment revealed that genetic compatibility can be disrupted through changes in temperature, and complex genotype-by-genotype-by environment interactions characterising larval traits were also detectable in adult morphological traits.
Original language | English |
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Qualification | Doctor of Philosophy |
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Award date | 7 Dec 2016 |
Publication status | Unpublished - 2016 |