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The implications of climate change for the invasive tube worm Ficopomatus enigmaticus
Thesis (MSc)--Stellenbosch University, 2021.
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| Format: | Thesis |
| Language: | en_ZA |
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Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University
2021
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| _version_ | 1867614086414467072 |
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| access_status_str | Open Access |
| author | Ewels-Bezuidenhout, Melissa |
| author2 | Robinson-Smythe, Tammy |
| author_browse | Ewels-Bezuidenhout, Melissa Robinson-Smythe, Tammy |
| author_facet | Robinson-Smythe, Tammy Ewels-Bezuidenhout, Melissa |
| author_sort | Ewels-Bezuidenhout, Melissa |
| collection | Thesis |
| dc_rights_str_mv | Stellenbosch University |
| description | Thesis (MSc)--Stellenbosch University, 2021. |
| format | Thesis |
| id | oai:scholar.sun.ac.za:10019.1/110254 |
| institution | Stellenbosch University (South Africa) |
| language | en_ZA |
| last_indexed | 2026-06-10T12:46:25.318Z |
| license_str | Other — see source repository |
| provenance_str_mv | Harvested via OAI-PMH from SUNScholar — Stellenbosch University Repository |
| publishDate | 2021 |
| publishDateRange | 2021 |
| publishDateSort | 2021 |
| publisher | Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University |
| publisherStr | Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University |
| record_format | dspace |
| source_str | SUNScholar — Stellenbosch University Repository |
| spelling | oai:scholar.sun.ac.za:10019.1/110254 The implications of climate change for the invasive tube worm Ficopomatus enigmaticus Ewels-Bezuidenhout, Melissa Robinson-Smythe, Tammy Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Science. Dept. of Botany and Zoology. Climatic changes -- Environmental aspects Ficopomatus enigmaticus -- South Africa -- Western Cape Ficopomatus enigmaticus -- Effect of temperature on Tube worms -- Growth -- Climatic factors Marine ecology -- Effect of global warming on Estuarine ecology -- South Africa -- Western Cape UCTD Thesis (MSc)--Stellenbosch University, 2021. ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Climate change and biological invasions are recognised as important drivers of change and it is important to understand how these drivers of global change interact in marine systems. Ficopomatus enigmaticus is an invasive polychaete throughout its extensive global range. Despite the species having been present in South Africa since 1951 and it having recognised impacts, the abundance and distribution of this worm is not routinely monitored. Therefore, this study aimed to 1) determine the current abundance and distribution of F. enigmaticus in Zandvlei Estuary, Milnerton Lagoon and Berg River Estuary, 2) describe the spatio-temporal variability of temperature and carbonate chemistry in these estuaries of conservation importance, and 3) experimentally assess the effect of an acute change in temperature and pH on the feeding behaviour of F. enigmaticus. Comparisons with historical estimates revealed that the populations in all three estuaries have declined. The total standing stock of F. enigmaticus in Zandvlei Estuary decreased by 52% to 29 194 kg while Berg River Estuary experienced a decrease of 95% resulting in a total standing stock of just 3 kg. Unexpectedly, no live worms were found in Milnerton Lagoon. These results highlight the need for routine monitoring. Notably, routine removal of reefs could minimise potential further spread as well as mitigate negative impacts, while retaining the benefit of improved water quality associated with this polychaete. To describe the temporal variability in carbonate chemistry in the three estuaries, sampling was conducted once a month in each season. Notable spatial and temporal variability was detected with differences among estuaries and months. Importantly, Milnerton Lagoon and Berg River Estuary exhibited levels of partial pressure of carbon dioxide that exceeded the IPCC worst-case scenario predictions for the year 2100. This highlights the importance of considering local conditions when designing experiments considering the implications of climate change. Conditions recorded in Zandvlei Estuary were used to inform laboratory experiments that assessed the effect of acute exposure to a 0.3 unit pH decline and a 4°C increase in temperature on the feeding behaviour of F. enigmaticus. Analysis of video footage revealed that reduced pH had no significant effect on any aspect of feeding behaviour, but temperature did. Under future warming, worms emerged from their tubes and began feeding sooner while a higher proportion of worms fed when compared to current conditions. Although fewer feeding events were observed under warmer conditions, an increase in the duration of these events ultimately resulted in extended feeding. Should increased feeding be sustained in the long-term, it could result in suspended organic particles becoming a limiting resource with consequent negative implications for the abundance of F. enigmaticus. Ultimately, this thesis has highlighted that F. enigmaticus has declined in all three estuaries and provided suggestions for the management of this worm. Additionally, it has demonstrated that in response to acute warming F. enigmaticus increases feeding. While the implications of long-term warming and reduced pH are still to be interrogated, these results suggest that this worm is sensitive to warming with potential implications for invaded systems. AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Geen opsomming beskikbaar. Masters 2021-02-05T15:04:02Z 2021-04-22T10:11:10Z 2022-03-03T03:00:13Z 2021-04 Thesis http://hdl.handle.net/10019.1/110254 en_ZA Stellenbosch University vi, 71 pages : illustrations, maps application/pdf Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University |
| spellingShingle | Climatic changes -- Environmental aspects Ficopomatus enigmaticus -- South Africa -- Western Cape Ficopomatus enigmaticus -- Effect of temperature on Tube worms -- Growth -- Climatic factors Marine ecology -- Effect of global warming on Estuarine ecology -- South Africa -- Western Cape UCTD Ewels-Bezuidenhout, Melissa The implications of climate change for the invasive tube worm Ficopomatus enigmaticus |
| title | The implications of climate change for the invasive tube worm Ficopomatus enigmaticus |
| title_full | The implications of climate change for the invasive tube worm Ficopomatus enigmaticus |
| title_fullStr | The implications of climate change for the invasive tube worm Ficopomatus enigmaticus |
| title_full_unstemmed | The implications of climate change for the invasive tube worm Ficopomatus enigmaticus |
| title_short | The implications of climate change for the invasive tube worm Ficopomatus enigmaticus |
| title_sort | implications of climate change for the invasive tube worm ficopomatus enigmaticus |
| topic | Climatic changes -- Environmental aspects Ficopomatus enigmaticus -- South Africa -- Western Cape Ficopomatus enigmaticus -- Effect of temperature on Tube worms -- Growth -- Climatic factors Marine ecology -- Effect of global warming on Estuarine ecology -- South Africa -- Western Cape UCTD |
| url | http://hdl.handle.net/10019.1/110254 |
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