The combustion of fossil fuels is currently causing rapid rates of ocean warming and acidification worldwide. Projected changes in these parameters have been repeatedly observed to stress the physiological limits and plasticity of many marine species from the molecular to organismal levels. High latitude oceans are among the fastest changing ecosystems; therefore, polar species are projected to be some of the most vulnerable to climate change. Antarctic species are particularly sensitive to environmental change, having evolved for millions of years under stable ocean conditions. Otoliths, calcified structures found in a fish’s inner ear used to sense movement and direction, have been shown to be affected by both warming and CO₂-acidified seawater in temperate and tropical fishes but there is no work to date on Antarctic fishes. In this study, juvenile emerald rockcod (Trematomus bernacchii) were exposed to projected seawater warming and CO₂-acidification for the year 2100 over 28 days. Sagittal otoliths were analyzed for changes in area, perimeter, length, width and shape. We found ocean warming increased the growth rate of otoliths, while CO₂-acidified seawater and the interaction of warming and acidification did not have an effect on otolith development. Elevated temperature also altered the shape of otoliths. If otolith development is altered under future warming scenarios, sensory functions such as hearing, orientation, and movement may potentially be impaired. Changes in these basic somatic abilities could have broad implications for the general capabilities and ecology of early life stages of Antarctic fishes.

化石燃料的燃烧目前正在全球范围内导致海洋快速变暖和酸化。反复观察到这些参数的预期变化会从分子到生物体水平强调许多海洋物种的生理极限和可塑性。高纬度海洋是变化最快的生态系统之一；因此，预计极地物种是最容易受到气候变化影响的物种。南极物种对环境变化特别敏感，在稳定的海洋条件下进化了数百万年。耳石是在鱼的内耳中发现的钙化结构，用于感知运动和方向，已被证明受变暖和 CO _{2 的影响}- 温带和热带鱼类的海水酸化，但迄今为止还没有关于南极鱼类的研究。在这项研究中，幼年祖母绿岩鳕 ( Trematomus bernacchii ) 在2100 年暴露于预计的海水变暖和 CO ₂酸化 28 天。分析矢状耳石的面积、周长、长度、宽度和形状的变化。我们发现海洋变暖增加了耳石的生长速度，而 CO ₂- 酸化的海水以及变暖和酸化的相互作用对耳石的发育没有影响。升高的温度也改变了耳石的形状。如果耳石发育在未来变暖的情况下发生改变，听觉、定向和运动等感官功能可能会受到损害。这些基本躯体能力的变化可能对南极鱼类早期生命阶段的一般能力和生态产生广泛影响。