Effects of ocean acidification, temperature and nutrient regimes on the appendicularian Oikopleura dioica: A mesocosm study

Appendicularians are free-swimming tunicates that are common in most oceans, coastal waters, and estuaries. They build delicate, gelatinous houses that they use to filter food from the water. This study found that appendicularian abundance increased with ocean acidification, warmer temperatures, and higher nutrient levels. This suggests that appendicularians will play more important roles in the marine ecosystem under projected ocean acidification and elevated temperature scenarios.