Abalone under moderate heat stress have elevated metabolic rates and changes to digestive enzyme activities.

Abalone around the world are subject to increasing frequency of marine heatwaves, yet we have a limited understanding of how acute high temperature events impact the physiology of these commercially and ecologically important species. This study examines the impact of a 5 °C temperature increase over ambient conditions for six weeks on the metabolic rates, digestive enzyme activities in the digestive gland, and digestive efficiency of Red Abalone (Haliotis rufescens) and Pāua (H. iris) on their natural diets.