Distinct realized physiologies in green sea urchin (Strongylocentrotus droebachiensis) populations from barren and kelp habitats

Overgrazing of habitat-forming kelps by sea urchins is reshaping reef seascapes in many temperate regions. Loss of kelp, in particular as a food source, may alter individual consumer physiology, which in turn may impair their ability to respond to climate warming. Here, we measured the temperature dependence of absolute and mass-independent oxygen consumption ( ??MO2) using two different exposure protocols (acute exposure and temperature ???ramping???), as proxies of realized physiology, between green sea urchin (Strongylocentrotus droebachiensis) populations from neighbouring barren and kelp habitats. Sea urchins from kelp habitats consumed 8%???78% more oxygen than sea urchins from barrens (across the range of temperatures tested (4???32 ??C)) and had higher maximum ??MO2 values (by 26%). This was in part because kelp urchins typically had greater body masses. However, higher mass-independent ??MO2 values of kelp urchins suggest metabolic plasticity in response to habitat per se. In addition, the ??MO2 of sea urchins from kelp habitats was less sensitive to increases in temperature. We conclude that sea urchins from barren and kelp habitats of comparable body mass represent different energetic units. This highlights that habitat type can drive population-level variation that may shape urchins activities and environmental impact. Such variation should be integrated into energy-based models.

Automated summary

Overgrazing of habitat-forming kelps by sea urchins can affect the physiology of consumers and their response to climate warming.