Under pressure: Assessing the ecological boundaries of the epipelagic goose barnacle Lepas anatifera using ocean gliders and laboratory experiments

• Published in: Marine pollution bulletin 2024-04, Vol.201, p.116278-116278, Article 116278
• Main Authors: Iván-Baragaño, Yago, Zarokanellos, Nikolaos D., Sureda, Antoni, Capa, María
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animals; Antioxidants - metabolism; Goose barnacle; Marine heatwaves; Mediterranean Sea; Oceans and Seas; Oxidative Stress; Salinity; Superoxide Dismutase - metabolism; Thoracica - physiology; Tolerance
• ISSN: 0025-326X; 1879-3363
• DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2024.116278

Epipelagic barnacles have been considered good bioindicators since they are abundant and broadly distributed but with apparent tolerance restrictions to temperature and salinity, and also bioaccumulate pollutants. However, Lepas anatifera was found attached to the oceanic gliders, thriving through drastic and unreported environmental fluctuations. This study aimed to assess the resistance and oxidative stress responses of L. anatifera collected from gliders and attached to floating litter to temperature, salinity, and pressure. Barnacles withstood all tested pressure, temperature, and salinity ranges, except the extreme salt concentration. The activities of antioxidant enzymes – catalase and superoxide dismutase – were significantly increased under high temperature, high pressure, and low salinity. Malondialdehyde levels significantly increased only under high pressure. In conclusion, L. anatifera can be considered resistant organisms to extreme environmental changes. However, the instauration of oxidative stress under certain circumstances makes them vulnerable to predicted future trends in marine environments. •Lepas anatifera: resistant to ocean conditions, yet ecologically constrained•High pressure, low salinities and high temperatures induce oxidative stress.•High salinities and temperatures cause significant mortality to barnacles.•Heat-wave episodes and global warming pose a major long-term threat to these organisms.