Dynamic response in the larval geoduck clam proteome to elevated pCO2

Pacific geoduck clams ( Panopea generosa ) are found along the Northeast Pacific coast where they are significant components of coastal and estuarine ecosystems and the basis of a growing and highly profitable aquaculture industry. The Pacific coastline, however, is also the sight of rapidly changing ocean habitat, including significant reductions in pH. The impacts of ocean acidification on invertebrate bivalve larvae have been widely documented and it is well established that many species experience growth and developmental deficiencies when exposed to low pH. As a native of environments that have historically lower pH than the open ocean, it is possible that geoduck larvae are less impacted by these effects than other species. Over two weeks in larval development (days 6-19 post-fertilization) geoduck larvae were reared at pH 7.5 or 7.1 in a commercial shellfish hatchery. Larvae were sampled at six time points throughout the period for a in-depth proteomics analysis of developmental molecular physiology. Larvae reared at low pH were smaller than those reared at ambient pH, especially in the prodissoconch II phase of development. Competency for settlement was also delayed in larvae from the low pH conditions. A comparison of proteomic profiles over the course of development reveal that these differing phenotypic outcomes are likely due to environmental disruptions to the timing of molecular physiological events as suites of proteins showed differing profiles of abundance between the two pH environments. Ocean acidification likely caused an energetic stress on the larvae at pH 7.1, causing a shift in physiological prioritization with resulting loss of fitness.