Spiny Lobsters Increase Feeding Under Moderate Warming but Struggle at High Temperatures

Researchers studied how temperature affects both the metabolism and predation rates of California spiny lobsters, finding that lobsters can increase their food consumption faster than their metabolic demands rise, but only within a middle range of temperatures. Researchers acclimated 24 male spiny lobsters to four different temperatures (11, 16, 21, and 26°C) representing their natural range, then measured their oxygen consumption rates using respirometry and their predation rates by offering them mussels to eat. Lobster consumption rates increased faster than their metabolic demands at mid-range temperatures, suggesting they can meet their caloric needs. At the coldest temperature (11°C), lobsters had almost no metabolic activity. At the highest temperature (26°C), 33% of lobsters died during the experiment. Both metabolism and predation rates increased with temperature, but consumption outpaced metabolic demand in the middle temperature range. The research helps predict how California spiny lobsters, both important predators and valuable fishery species, will respond to ocean warming, suggesting they may handle moderate temperature increases but face serious problems at temperature extremes that could shift their geographic range.

Citation

Csik, Samantha R.; DiFiore, Bartholomew P.; Kraskura, Krista; Hardison, Emily A.; Curtis, Joseph S.; Eliason, Erika J.; Stier, Adrian C. (2023). The metabolic underpinnings of temperature-dependent predation in a key marine predator. Frontiers in Marine Science.

Read the full paper

This paper is Open Access.