Huxley Environmental Speaker Series: Oysters, Ocean Acidification, and -Omics

Pacific oysters are an integral part of Puget Sound's ecology, economy, and culture. This talk will explore how ocean acidification affects multiple generations of oysters. Temporarily exposing adult Pacific oysters (Crassostrea gigas) to low pH prior to gametogenesis affects larval abundance. The documented effect on Pacific oyster larval abundance indicates a potential role for epigenetic modifications, specifically DNA methylation, in response to ocean acidification. Understanding a possible mechanism for phenotypic plasticity and acclimation across generations is valuable when considering organismal ability to persist in the face of environmental change.