Elevated pCO reinforces preference among intertidal algae in both a specialist and generalist herbivore.

Ocean acidification (OA) can induce changes in marine organisms and species interactions. We examined OA effects on intertidal macroalgal growth, palatability, and consumption by a specialist crab (Pugettia producta) and a generalist snail (Tegula funebralis) herbivore. Moderate increases in pCO increased algal growth in most species, but effects of pCO on C:N and phenolic content varied by species.