Plasticity to ocean warming is influenced by transgenerational, reproductive, and developmental exposure in a coral reef fish.

ABSTRACT: Global warming is expected to drive some ectothermic species beyond their thermal tolerance in upcoming decades. Phenotypic plasticity, via developmental or transgenerational acclimation, is a critical mechanism for compensation in the face of environmental change. Yet, it remains to be determined if the activation of beneficial phenotypes requires direct exposure throughout development, or if compensation can be obtained just through the experience of previous generations. In this study, we exposed three generations of a tropical damselfish to combinations of current-day (Control) and projected future (+1.5°C) water temperatures. Acclimation was evaluated with phenotypic (oxygen consumption, hepatosomatic index, physical condition) and molecular (liver gene expression) measurements of thi

SUBMITTER: Bernal MA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8867710 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature