Demographic responses to warming: reproductive maturity and sex influence vulnerability in an octocoral

摘要: Ocean warming, caused by climate change, is critically impacting marine coastal ecosystems. Benthic organisms, such as anthozoans, are increasingly submitted to high temperatures that cause massive mortalities in tropical and temperate seas. To broaden our understanding of their response thermal stress, we tested the putative role reproductive maturity sex susceptibility Mediterranean red gorgonian, Paramuricea clavata, temperatures. We experimentally compared stress sexually immature (i.e., juveniles) versus mature individuals adults), males females. Colonies' was firstly assessed measuring percentage tissue area exhibiting necrosis. Then, output fertility, size, number gonads) both sexes characterized. When juveniles, adults showed a significantly higher necrosis, suggesting during period they more vulner- able Males females similar damage significant decrease output. However, females' reproduction impacted, susceptible than males. A dif- ferential energy investment may be underlying observed responses. Adults invest large proportion budget reproduction; hence, have fewer resources available cope with juveniles. situation seems apply females, respect Considering current ocean-warming trend, results imply long-term viability shallow populations long-lived anthozoans jeopardized future. This study reveals potential demographic consequences warming go beyond its associated increment mortality rates. Given important ecological many anthozoan species, these can help better predict future effects change on