Data collected from laboratory experiments on the tolerance of egg and yolk-sac larval yellowfin sole (Limanda aspera) to ocean warming and acidification from 2022-07-01 to 2024-08-31 (NCEI Accession 0313059)

This dataset contains laboratory experiment data that were collected to investigate the tolerance of egg and yolk-sac larval yellowfin sole (Limanda aspera) to ocean warming and acidification. Across four independent trials, yellowfin sole embryos and larvae were incubated at one of six experimental treatments spanning three temperatures (9, 12, 15°C) and two pCO2 target levels (low; high), and a range of organismal and physiological responses were measured. Embryonic daily mortality rates and metabolic rates increased with increasing temperature but were not affected by ocean acidification. At hatch and at yolk absorption, morphometric measurements (length, dry weight, myotome height, yolk area) were temperature-sensitive, but the response differed across the four trials. There was a consistent increase in length-based growth and yolk absorption rates with increasing temperature across trials. All morphometric and rate-based measurements were not affected by ocean acidification. Yellowfin sole metabolic enzyme activities were measured at yolk absorption. Lactate dehydrogenase (anaerobic metabolism) and β-hydroxyacyl CoA dehydrogenase (fatty acid metabolism) both increased with increasing temperature, indicating elevated energy demand. Citrate synthase (aerobic metabolism) declined with increasing pCO2 levels, indicating potential metabolic suppression. Overall, embryonic and larval yellowfin sole demonstrated relatively high tolerance to ocean warming and acidification.