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Climate change scientists should think more about sex
Urgent need to check how males and females respond differently to ocean acidification
Climate change can have a different impact on male and female fish, shellfish and other marine animals, with widespread implications for the future of marine life and the production of seafood.
But a paper published today in the Royal Society journal Biology Letters has found that very little research into how males and females respond differently to climate change has been carried out. This is despite recent research on ocean acidification published by lead author Dr Robert Ellis showing that male and female shellfish respond differently to stress.
Dr Ellis says the impact on different sexes should be properly assessed in all aquatic animals to accurately predict how populations will respond to climate change. Any effect on spawning, settlement or survival could have a major impact on sustainable supplies of fish and shellfish.
The latest research by the University of Exeter in collaboration with Plymouth Marine Laboratory reveals that less than 4% of climate-change studies have tested the impact of ocean acidification on males and females separately.
Over the past decade, research into the impacts of rising CO2 on fish and shellfish species has increased dramatically, helping scientists accurately predict the threat climate change poses ecosystems worldwide. Worrying changes in behaviour, survival, growth, reproduction and health have been found in many species.
Co-author of the study Professor Rod Wilson, a climate change marine biologist based at the University Exeter, said in light of this research separate environmental management strategies may be required.
Read more here.
Provided by the University of Exeter
Image by Leanne Allsopp
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