By Matt McGrath
Environment
correspondent
27 July 2016
A new study suggests that the
increasing acidification of the oceans is likely to interfere with the ability
of fish to reproduce.
Researchers found that elevated
levels of CO2, which make the waters more acidic, saw significantly lower
levels of spawning.
However, other mating behaviours
of the same species were unaffected by the souring of the oceans.
The scientists say the changes
are "subtle but ecologically important".
The study examined the
complicated mating behaviours of ocellated wrasse, a common Mediterranean fish.
There are three different types
of male who compete to father the offspring of this species.
Sneaky males
Dominant males build nests and
provide defence, while satellite males aid the dominants in return for a share
of the eggs. "Sneaker" males hover around the nests and try and take
advantage when the dominants are distracted.
The researchers filmed and
studied the complex interactions of these creatures in areas near underwater
volcanic vents which seep CO2 into the water.
The higher levels of CO2 make the
sea much more acidic in this area off the coast of southern Italy, equivalent
to what is expected more widely around the world by the end of this century.
The scientists found that many
mating behaviours were unaffected but that dominant male spawning with females
was reduced by almost two thirds in areas of high CO2.
The researchers argue that the
increased CO2 may be impacting the abilities of the dominant males to make
rapid decisions.
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