Abstract
Changes in ocean temperatures are causing changes in behavioral and locomotory responses across taxa. Long-term temperature acclimations outside of a marine ectotherm’s thermal range will result in the decline of the organism, including growth, locomotion, and behavioral responses. In contrast, temperature acclimations to elevated temperatures within the thermal temperature range of marine invertebrates have shown an increased locomotory response and a decreased behavioral response depending on the species. The purpose of this study is to measure the locomotory and behavioral responses to three different temperature acclimations within the thermal range of the California sea hare (Aplysia Californica). Aplysia acclimated to 12°C moved at a significantly higher average velocity as compared to the 16°C and 20°C treatment groups. There was no difference in percent active time, righting reflex, head bobbing time, hemolymph osmolality levels or growth but there was a downward trend observed in all variables tested as temperature increased. Growth of the Aplysia acclimated to 20°C declined after six weeks of acclimation as opposed to the other treatment groups which growth rates continued to increase through the extent of the study. These results show that Aplysia locomotion and growth could be affected by warming temperatures.