The combined effects of ocean acidification and warming on a habitat-forming shell-crushing predatory crab

Ocean warming increased feeding and oxygen consumption in the crab Acanthocyclus hassleri.

• Survival, calcification rate, and muscle length were unaffected by ocean acidification (OA) and warming (OW).
• OA reduced the pinching strength of the crab, while self-righting ability increased with both OA and OW.
• At 20 °C, OA significantly decreased carbohydrate content, and energy reserves in protein were also reduced by OA.
• ATP provisioning capacity varied with temperature and pCO2, being highest at 15 °C and current pCO2 levels.
• Higher levels of the stress response protein HSP70 were found in crabs exposed to OW compared to controls.
• These changes may limit the crab's ability to consume prey, potentially affecting habitat availability for other intertidal species.

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