Octopuses are already adapting to climate change and rising acidification in ocean: Study

While global warming and climate change have left experts worried about marine species, one particular animal seems to have alrey apted to alterations. A recently published study found that eight-armed beings showed a high rate of metabolic growth when placed in changed situation refore concluding that that h alrey apted to environmental changes. study which was conducted by researchers from Walla Walla University in collaboration with La Sierra University was published in Physiological and Biochemical Zoology Journal.

For purpose of study titled ‘Impact of Short- and Long-Term Exposure to Elevated Seawater Pco2 on Metabolic Rate and Hypoxia Tolerance in Octopus rubescens', researchers chose to observe octopus rubescens, which is a small and easily maintained species of octopuses. team of four scientists n studied how ocean acidification, which implies increasing CO2 in water, affected metabolism of species.

Re: Siddhant Kapoor Welcomes January With Scenic View, Warns About Global Warming

team n exposed species to increased carbon dioxide-created acidity for a period of five weeks. Throughout this duration, researchers measured ir routine metabolic rate (RMR) with prior acclimation to acidic water, and n again at week one and after five weeks. In dendum, y also measured octopuses oxygen pressure for five weeks.

_{Octopus rubescens; Im credits: University of California} 

Results

In aftermath, y found that octopuses were highly aptable as compared to or species. creatures experienced high levels of changes in ir metabolism within first 24 hours of exposure to increased acidity in ir surroundings. This observation shows a stark contrast to cephalopods, which showed a decrease in metabolic change.

Re: Suga: Tackling Global Warming Can Boost Ecomies

However, researchers observed that ir metabolic rate returned to rmal after one week and continues for following five weeks. ir ability to function in low oxygen also decreased later. But latest finding, researchers have concluded that octopuses amongst or species were capable of acclimatising hypercapnic environments, even as high as 1,500 μatm. y are w planning to conduct furr research to concrete ir findings.

"Our data show that RMR of O. rubescens is impacted by elevated CO2. pattern we observe is different from those reported for epipelagic squid and cuttlefish. However, marked increase during short-term exposure followed by a return to control RMR demonstrates that O. rubescens is able to acclimate to hypercapnic environments, even as high as 1,500 μatm," an extract from study re. 

Re: Octopus Can Taste With Special Cells In Its Arms, New Research Reveals

Re: Octopus Spotted At Juhu Koliwa Beach Gives A Glimpse Of Natural Beauty On Mumbai Beaches