Abstract

COUTO, Ruben P.; NETO, Ana I.  and  RODRIGUES, Armindo S.. Limpet shell modifications at intertidal hydrothermal vents. RGCI [online]. 2012, vol.12, n.2, pp.253-256. ISSN 1646-8872.

Calcareous organisms are known to be sensitive to acidified seawater, and they have been reported as potential sentinels for ocean acidification studies. Limpets are among the organisms that characterise intertidal zones, and in the Azores can also be found at sites with shallow water hydrothermal activity, where the acidity of seawater in the vicinity of hydrothermal vents is naturally higher due to CO₂ release. During an occasional intertidal survey on the occurrence and abundance of intertidal algae we found limpets with abnormal shells, and specimens of Patella candei gomesii (Patellidae) collected under such conditions exhibited weak and almost transparent shells with reduced shell thickness.

Keywords : Hydrothermal vents; Patella candei; Acidification; Shell erosion; Azores.

        · abstract in Portuguese     · text in English     · English ( pdf )