Inducible defenses in an estuarine bivalve do not alter predator handling times and are not affected by climate change

Mussels use their shells for protection which they can thicken or grow in response to predator cues, commonly referred as an inducible defense. Oceans are experiencing elevated p CO 2 due climate change. Elevated have negative effects on bivalve morphology and physiology, but we still learning about the consequences of these predator-prey interactions, a key motivation this study. Using 4 wk (short-term) laboratory experiment, orthogonally manipulated levels (ambient predicted future conditions that mimicked diel variability) presence (absent present) blue crabs Callinectes sapidus determine handling times southern ribbed mussels Geukensia granosissima . Experimental results indicated shell length width increased defenses were not affected by Unexpectedly, exposed exhibited greater growth depth independent treatment, resulting with rounder shapes. These mussel morphometrics did affect average crab times, under had highly variable times. This work highlights complexity animal morphology, interspecific interactions relationships changing ocean.