Integrating laboratory experiments and biogeographic modelling approaches to understand sensitivity to ocean warming in rare and common marine annelids

Abstract

Paper summary generated by OpenAI: This study investigates the thermal sensitivity of seven species of temperate marine annelids from the genus Ophryotrocha, focusing on the differences between common, uncommon, and rare species in the context of ocean warming. Laboratory experiments measured physiological thermal tolerance, survival, and reproductive performance across a temperature gradient. The findings reveal that rare and uncommon species exhibit reduced upper thermal tolerance compared to common species, although their niche breadth and acclimation capacity are similar. Biogeographic modeling predicts an overall increase in habitat suitability index (HSI) for all species, while highlighting potential hotspots of decline for rare and uncommon species, underscoring the need for targeted conservation strategies.