Project description:Climate change is leading to massive mortality events of fixed species present above the thermocline within the coralligenous ecosystem in the Mediterranean. It has been hypothesized that the deeper areas could play a refuge role that would allow the recolonization of the more superficial areas. However, experiments on adult gorgonians have shown that the individuals located under the thermocline are more thermosensitive, suggesting a local adaptation. In this context, the yellow gorgonian, Eunicella cavolini, represents a very good model for the study of adaptation and acclimatization to climate change within this ecosystem. Through an in situ experimental approach of reciprocal transplantation in the Calanques National Park of Marseille, the main objective of this project is to compare the acclimatization and adaptation capacities of this species between the superficial (20 m) and deep (70 m) zones via a quantitative analysis of its proteome.
