Behavioural Stress Propagation in Benthic Invertebrates Caused by Acute pH Drop-Induced Metabolites

Studies on pH stress in marine animals typically focus direct or species-specific aspects. We here test the hypothesis that a drop to = 7.6 indirectly affects intra- and interspecific interactions of benthic invertebrates by means chemical communication. recorded fitness-relevant behaviours small hermit crabs Diogenes pugilator , green shore Carcinus maenas harbour ragworms Hediste diversicolor response short-term drop, putative metabolites released conspecifics gilt-head sea bream Sparus aurata during 30 min acute drop. Not only did itself impair time find food cue burrowing ragworms, but similar effects were observed under exposure drop-induced metabolites. Stress from S. not its regular control metabolites, also induced avoidance responses all recipient species. Here, we confirm abrupt an abiotic stressor, has capacity trigger release which induce behavioural conspecific heterospecific individuals, can be interpreted as cost. Our findings propagated through communication warrant further research effect size impairments caused characterise their nature.