Rapid physiological and transcriptomic changes associated with oxygen delivery in larval anemonefish suggest a role in adaptation to life on hypoxic coral reefs.

ABSTRACT: Connectivity of coral reef fish populations relies on successful dispersal of a pelagic larval phase. Pelagic larvae must exhibit high swimming abilities to overcome ocean and reef currents, but once settling onto the reef, larvae transition to endure habitats that become hypoxic at night. Therefore, coral reef fish larvae must rapidly and dramatically shift their physiology over a short period of time. Taking an integrative, physiological approach, using swimming respirometry, and examining hypoxia tolerance and transcriptomics, we show that larvae of cinnamon anemonefish (Amphiprion melanopus) rapidly transition between "physiological extremes" at the end of their larval phase. Daily measurements of swimming larval anemonefish over their entire early development show that they initially

SUBMITTER: Downie AT 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10174562 | biostudies-literature | 2023 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature