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Bonzi LC, Spinks RK, Donelson JM, Munday PL, Ravasi T, Schunter C. Timing-specific parental effects of ocean warming in a coral reef fish. Proc Biol Sci 2024; 291:20232207. [PMID: 38772423 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2023.2207] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2023] [Accepted: 04/04/2024] [Indexed: 05/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Population and species persistence in a rapidly warming world will be determined by an organism's ability to acclimate to warmer conditions, especially across generations. There is potential for transgenerational acclimation but the importance of ontogenetic timing in the transmission of environmentally induced parental effects remains mostly unknown. We aimed to disentangle the effects of two critical ontogenetic stages (juvenile development and reproduction) to the new-generation acclimation potential, by exposing the spiny chromis damselfish Acanthochromis polyacanthus to simulated ocean warming across two generations. By using hepatic transcriptomics, we discovered that the post-hatching developmental environment of the offspring themselves had little effect on their acclimation potential at 2.5 months of life. Instead, the developmental experience of parents increased regulatory RNA production and protein synthesis, which could improve the offspring's response to warming. Conversely, parental reproduction and offspring embryogenesis in warmer water elicited stress response mechanisms in the offspring, with suppression of translation and mitochondrial respiration. Mismatches between parental developmental and reproductive temperatures deeply affected offspring gene expression profiles, and detrimental effects were evident when warming occurred both during parents' development and reproduction. This study reveals that the previous generation's developmental temperature contributes substantially to thermal acclimation potential during early life; however, exposure at reproduction as well as prolonged heat stress will likely have adverse effects on the species' persistence.
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Affiliation(s)
- L C Bonzi
- The Swire Institute of Marine Science, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Hong Kong , Hong Kong
| | - R K Spinks
- ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, James Cook University , Townsville 4810, Australia
- Blue Carbon Section, Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water, Australian Government , Brisbane 4000, Australia
| | - J M Donelson
- ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, James Cook University , Townsville 4810, Australia
- College of Science and Engineering, James Cook University , Townsville 4810, Australia
| | - P L Munday
- ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, James Cook University , Townsville 4810, Australia
- College of Science and Engineering, James Cook University , Townsville 4810, Australia
| | - T Ravasi
- ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, James Cook University , Townsville 4810, Australia
- Marine Climate Change Unit, Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University , Okinawa 904-0495, Japan
| | - C Schunter
- The Swire Institute of Marine Science, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Hong Kong , Hong Kong
- State Key Laboratory of Marine Pollution and Department of Chemistry, City University of Hong Kong , Hong Kong
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2
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Lema SC, Luckenbach JA, Yamamoto Y, Housh MJ. Fish reproduction in a warming world: vulnerable points in hormone regulation from sex determination to spawning. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 2024; 379:20220516. [PMID: 38310938 PMCID: PMC10838641 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2022.0516] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2023] [Accepted: 12/11/2023] [Indexed: 02/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Reproduction in fishes is sensitive to temperature. Elevated temperatures and anomalous 'heat waves' associated with climate change have the potential to impact fish reproductive performance and, in some cases, even induce sex reversals. Here we examine how thermal sensitivity in the hormone pathways regulating reproduction provides a framework for understanding impacts of warmer conditions on fish reproduction. Such effects will differ depending on evolved variation in temperature sensitivity of endocrine pathways regulating reproductive processes of sex determination/differentiation, gametogenesis and spawning, as well as how developmental timing of those processes varies with reproductive ecology. For fish populations unable to shift geographical range, persistence under future climates may require changes in temperature responsiveness of the hormone pathways regulating reproductive processes. How thermal sensitivity in those hormone pathways varies among populations and species, how those pathways generate temperature maxima for reproduction, and how rapidly reproductive thermal tolerances can change via adaptation or transgenerational plasticity will shape which fishes are most at risk for impaired reproduction under rising temperatures. This article is part of the theme issue 'Endocrine responses to environmental variation: conceptual approaches and recent developments'.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sean C. Lema
- Biological Sciences Department, Center for Coastal Marine Sciences, California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, CA 93430, USA
| | - J. Adam Luckenbach
- Environmental and Fisheries Sciences Division, Northwest Fisheries Science Center, National Marine Fisheries Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Seattle, WA 98112, USA
- Center for Reproductive Biology, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164, USA
| | - Yoji Yamamoto
- Department of Marine Biosciences, Tokyo University of Marine Science and Technology, Minato-ku, Tokyo 108-8477, Japan
| | - Madeline J. Housh
- Biological Sciences Department, Center for Coastal Marine Sciences, California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, CA 93430, USA
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3
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Bonzi LC, Donelson JM, Spinks RK, Munday PL, Ravasi T, Schunter C. Matching maternal and paternal experiences underpin molecular thermal acclimation. Mol Ecol 2024:e17328. [PMID: 38520127 DOI: 10.1111/mec.17328] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2023] [Revised: 01/25/2024] [Accepted: 03/04/2024] [Indexed: 03/25/2024]
Abstract
The environment experienced by one generation has the potential to affect the subsequent one through non-genetic inheritance of parental effects. Since both mothers and fathers can influence their offspring, questions arise regarding how the maternal, paternal and offspring experiences integrate into the resulting phenotype. We aimed to disentangle the maternal and paternal contributions to transgenerational thermal acclimation in a reef fish, Acanthochromis polyacanthus, by exposing two generations to elevated temperature (+1.5°C) in a fully factorial design and analysing the F2 hepatic gene expression. Paternal and maternal effects showed not only common but also parent-specific components, with the father having the largest influence in shaping the offspring's transcriptomic profile. Fathers contributed to transcriptional transgenerational response to warming through transfer of epigenetically controlled stress-response mechanisms while mothers influenced increased gene expression associated with lipid metabolism regulation. However, the key to acclimation potential was matching thermal experiences of the parents. When both parents were exposed to the same condition, offspring showed increased expression of genes related to structural RNA production and transcriptional regulation, whereas environmental mismatch in parents resulted in maladaptive parental condition transfer, revealed by translation suppression and endoplasmic reticulum stress. Interestingly, the offspring's own environmental experience had the smallest influence on their hepatic transcription profiles. Taken together, our results show the complex nature of the interplay among paternal, maternal and offspring cue integration, and reveal that acclimation potential to ocean warming might depend not only on maternal and paternal contributions but importantly on congruent parental thermal experiences.
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Affiliation(s)
- L C Bonzi
- The Swire Institute of Marine Science, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR
| | - J M Donelson
- ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, James Cook University, Townsville, Queensland, Australia
- College of Science and Engineering, James Cook University, Townsville, Queensland, Australia
| | - R K Spinks
- ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, James Cook University, Townsville, Queensland, Australia
- Blue Carbon Section, Australian Government Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia
| | - P L Munday
- ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, James Cook University, Townsville, Queensland, Australia
- College of Science and Engineering, James Cook University, Townsville, Queensland, Australia
| | - T Ravasi
- ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, James Cook University, Townsville, Queensland, Australia
- Marine Climate Change Unit, Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University, Okinawa, Japan
| | - C Schunter
- The Swire Institute of Marine Science, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR
- State Key Laboratory of Marine Pollution and Department of Chemistry, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR
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4
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Moore B, Jolly J, Izumiyama M, Kawai E, Ryu T, Ravasi T. Clownfish larvae exhibit faster growth, higher metabolic rates and altered gene expression under future ocean warming. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 873:162296. [PMID: 36801344 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.162296] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2022] [Revised: 02/08/2023] [Accepted: 02/13/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Increasing ocean temperatures have been demonstrated to have a range of negative impacts on coral reef fishes. However, despite a wealth of studies of juvenile/adult reef fish, studies of how early developmental stages respond to ocean warming are limited. As overall population persistence is influenced by the development of early life stages, detailed studies of larval responses to ocean warming are essential. Here, in an aquaria-based study we investigate how temperatures associated with future warming and present-day marine heatwaves (+3 °C) impact the growth, metabolic rate, and transcriptome of 6 discrete developmental stages of clownfish larvae (Amphiprion ocellaris). A total of 6 clutches of larvae were assessed, with 897 larvae imaged, 262 larvae undergoing metabolic testing and 108 larvae subject to transcriptome sequencing. Our results show that larvae reared at +3 °C grow and develop significantly faster and exhibit higher metabolic rates than those in control conditions. Finally, we highlight the molecular mechanisms underpinning the response of larvae from different developmental stages to higher temperatures, with genes associated with metabolism, neurotransmission, heat stress and epigenetic reprogramming differentially expressed at +3 °C. Overall, these results indicate that clownfish development could be altered under future warming, with developmental rate, metabolic rate, and gene expression all affected. Such changes may lead to altered larval dispersal, changes in settlement time and increased energetic costs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Billy Moore
- Marine Climate Change Unit, Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University, 1919-1 Tancha, Onna-son, Okinawa 904-0495, Japan
| | - Jeffrey Jolly
- Marine Climate Change Unit, Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University, 1919-1 Tancha, Onna-son, Okinawa 904-0495, Japan
| | - Michael Izumiyama
- Marine Climate Change Unit, Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University, 1919-1 Tancha, Onna-son, Okinawa 904-0495, Japan
| | - Erina Kawai
- Marine Climate Change Unit, Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University, 1919-1 Tancha, Onna-son, Okinawa 904-0495, Japan
| | - Taewoo Ryu
- Marine Climate Change Unit, Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University, 1919-1 Tancha, Onna-son, Okinawa 904-0495, Japan.
| | - Timothy Ravasi
- Marine Climate Change Unit, Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University, 1919-1 Tancha, Onna-son, Okinawa 904-0495, Japan; Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD 4811, Australia.
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5
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Tran LL, Johansen JL. Seasonal variability in resilience of a coral reef fish to marine heatwaves and hypoxia. GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY 2023; 29:2522-2535. [PMID: 36843188 DOI: 10.1111/gcb.16624] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2022] [Revised: 01/15/2023] [Accepted: 01/17/2023] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
Climate change projections indicate more frequent and severe tropical marine heatwaves (MHWs) and accompanying hypoxia year-round. However, most studies have focused on peak summer conditions under the assumption that annual maximum temperatures will induce the greatest physiological consequences. This study challenges this idea by characterizing seasonal MHWs (i.e., mean, maximum, and cumulative intensities, durations, heating rates, and mean annual occurrence) and comparing metabolic traits (i.e., standard metabolic rate (SMR), Q10 of SMR, maximum metabolic rate (MMR), aerobic scope, and critical oxygen tension (Pcrit )) of winter- and summer-acclimatized convict tang (Acanthurus triostegus) to the combined effects of MHWs and hypoxia. Fish were exposed to one of six MHW treatments with seasonally varying maximum intensities (winter: 24.5, 26.5, 28.5°C; summer: 28.5, 30.5, 32.5°C), representing past and future MHWs under IPCC projections (i.e., +0, +2, +4°C). Surprisingly, MHW characteristics did not significantly differ between seasons, yet SMR was more sensitive to winter MHWs (mean Q10 = 2.92) than summer MHWs (mean Q10 = 1.81), despite higher absolute summer temperatures. Concurrently, MMR increased similarly among winter +2 and +4°C treatments (i.e., 26.5, 28.5°C) and all summer MHW treatments, suggesting a ceiling for maximal MMR increase. Aerobic scope did not significantly differ between seasons nor among MHW treatments. While mean Pcrit did not significantly vary between seasons, warming of +4°C during winter (i.e., 28.5°C) significantly increased Pcrit relative to the winter control group. Contrary to the idea of increased sensitivity to MHWs during the warmest time of year, our results reveal heightened sensitivity to the deleterious effects of winter MHWs, and that seasonal acclimatization to warmer summer conditions may bolster metabolic resilience to warming and hypoxia. Consequently, physiological sensitivity to MHWs and hypoxia may extend across larger parts of the year than previously expected, emphasizing the importance of evaluating climate change impacts during cooler seasons when essential fitness-related traits such as reproduction occur in many species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leon L Tran
- Hawai'i Institute of Marine Biology, University of Hawai'i at Mānoa, Kāne'ohe, Hawaii, USA
| | - Jacob L Johansen
- Hawai'i Institute of Marine Biology, University of Hawai'i at Mānoa, Kāne'ohe, Hawaii, USA
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6
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Arif S, Massey MDB. Reducing bias in experimental ecology through directed acyclic graphs. Ecol Evol 2023; 13:e9947. [PMID: 37006894 PMCID: PMC10050842 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.9947] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2023] [Revised: 03/10/2023] [Accepted: 03/12/2023] [Indexed: 03/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Ecologists often rely on randomized control trials (RCTs) to quantify causal relationships in nature. Many of our foundational insights of ecological phenomena can be traced back to well‐designed experiments, and RCTs continue to provide valuable insights today. Although RCTs are often regarded as the “gold standard” for causal inference, it is important to recognize that they too rely on a set of causal assumptions that must be justified and met by the researcher to draw valid causal conclusions. We use key ecological examples to show how biases such as confounding, overcontrol, and collider bias can occur in experimental setups. In tandem, we highlight how such biases can be removed through the application of the structural causal model (SCM) framework. The SCM framework visualizes the causal structure of a system or process under study using directed acyclic graphs (DAGs) and subsequently applies a set of graphical rules to remove bias from both observational and experimental data. We show how DAGs can be applied across ecological experimental studies to ensure proper study design and statistical analysis, leading to more accurate causal estimates drawn from experimental data. Although causal conclusions drawn from RCTs are often taken at face value, ecologists are increasingly becoming aware that experimental approaches must be carefully designed and analyzed to avoid potential biases. By applying DAGs as a visual and conceptual tool, experimental ecologists can increasingly meet the causal assumptions required for valid causal inference.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suchinta Arif
- Department of BiologyDalhousie University1355 Oxford StreetHalifaxNova ScotiaB3H 4R2Canada
| | - Melanie Duc Bo Massey
- Department of BiologyDalhousie University1355 Oxford StreetHalifaxNova ScotiaB3H 4R2Canada
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7
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Isotalo T, Rotenbiller L, Candolin U. The importance of considering the duration of extreme temperatures when investigating responses to climate change. GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY 2022; 28:6577-6585. [PMID: 36053986 PMCID: PMC9805119 DOI: 10.1111/gcb.16381] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2022] [Revised: 05/22/2022] [Accepted: 07/19/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
The frequency and duration of heatwaves are increasing because of human activities. To cope with the changes, species with longer generation times may have to rely on plastic responses. The probability that their responses are adaptive is higher if the species have experienced temperature fluctuations also in their evolutionary past. However, experimental studies investigating responses to heatwaves often use exposure times that are significantly shorter than recent heatwaves. We show that this can lead to faulty conclusions and that the duration of higher temperature has to be considered in experimental designs. We recorded the response of threespine stickleback to prolonged duration of higher temperature during the breeding season, using a population that has experienced large fluctuations in temperature in its past and, hence, is expected to endure temperature changes well. We found males to adaptively adjust their reproductive behaviours to short periods of higher temperature, but not to longer periods that extended across two breeding cycles. Males initially increased their reproductive activities-nest building, courtship and parental care-which ensured high reproductive success during the first breeding cycle, but decreased their reproductive activities during the second breeding cycle when exposed to sustained high temperature. This reduced their courtship success and resulted in fewer offspring. Thus, a species expected to cope well with higher temperature suffers fitness reductions when the duration of high temperature is prolonged. The results stress the importance of considering the duration of extreme environmental conditions when investigating the impact that human activities have on species. Responses to short-term exposures cannot be extrapolated to assess responses to longer periods of extreme conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Teija Isotalo
- Organismal and Evolutionary BiologyUniversity of HelsinkiHelsinkiFinland
| | - Lilla Rotenbiller
- Organismal and Evolutionary BiologyUniversity of HelsinkiHelsinkiFinland
| | - Ulrika Candolin
- Organismal and Evolutionary BiologyUniversity of HelsinkiHelsinkiFinland
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8
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Massey MD, Fredericks MK, Malloy D, Arif S, Hutchings JA. Differential reproductive plasticity under thermal variability in a freshwater fish ( Danio rerio). Proc Biol Sci 2022; 289:20220751. [PMID: 36069011 PMCID: PMC9449469 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2022.0751] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Human-driven increases in global mean temperatures are associated with concomitant increases in thermal variability. Yet, few studies have explored the impacts of thermal variability on fitness-related traits, limiting our ability to predict how organisms will respond to dynamic thermal changes. Among the myriad organismal responses to thermal variability, one of the most proximate to fitness—and, thus, a population's ability to persist—is reproduction. Here, we examine how a model freshwater fish (Danio rerio) responds to diel thermal fluctuations that span the species's viable developmental range of temperatures. We specifically investigate reproductive performance metrics including spawning success, fecundity, egg provisioning and sperm concentration. Notably, we apply thermal variability treatments during two ontogenetic timepoints to disentangle the relative effects of developmental plasticity and reversible acclimation. We found evidence of direct, negative effects of thermal variability during later ontogenetic stages on reproductive performance metrics. We also found complex interactive effects of early and late-life exposure to thermal variability, with evidence of beneficial acclimation of spawning success and modification of the relationship between fecundity and egg provisioning. Our findings illuminate the plastic life-history modifications that fish may undergo as their thermal environments become increasingly variable.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melanie D Massey
- Department of Biology, Life Sciences Centre, Dalhousie University, 6299 South St, Halifax, NS, Canada B3H 4R2
| | - M Kate Fredericks
- Department of Biology, Life Sciences Centre, Dalhousie University, 6299 South St, Halifax, NS, Canada B3H 4R2
| | - David Malloy
- Department of Biology, Life Sciences Centre, Dalhousie University, 6299 South St, Halifax, NS, Canada B3H 4R2.,Zebrafish Core Facility, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
| | - Suchinta Arif
- Department of Biology, Life Sciences Centre, Dalhousie University, 6299 South St, Halifax, NS, Canada B3H 4R2
| | - Jeffrey A Hutchings
- Department of Biology, Life Sciences Centre, Dalhousie University, 6299 South St, Halifax, NS, Canada B3H 4R2.,Flødevigen Marine Research Station, Institute of Marine Research, Bergen, Norway.,Department of Natural Sciences, University of Agder, Kristiansand, Norway
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9
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Kophamel S, Rudd D, Ward LC, Shum E, Ariel E, Mendez D, Starling J, Mellers R, Burchell RK, Munns SL. Haematological and biochemical reference intervals for wild green turtles ( Chelonia mydas): a Bayesian approach for small sample sizes. CONSERVATION PHYSIOLOGY 2022; 10:coac043. [PMID: 36937701 PMCID: PMC10020984 DOI: 10.1093/conphys/coac043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2022] [Revised: 04/20/2022] [Accepted: 06/09/2022] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Animal health is directly linked to population viability, which may be impacted by anthropogenic disturbances and diseases. Reference intervals (RIs) for haematology and blood biochemistry are essential tools for the assessment of animal health. However, establishing and interpreting robust RIs for threatened species is often challenged by small sample sizes. Bayesian predictive modelling is well suited to sample size limitations, accounting for individual variation and interactions between influencing variables. We aimed to derive baseline RIs for green turtles (Chelonia mydas) across two foraging aggregations in North Queensland, Australia, using Bayesian generalized linear mixed-effects models (n = 97). The predicted RIs were contained within previously published values and had narrower credible intervals. Most analytes did not vary significantly with foraging ground (76%, 22/29), body mass (86%, 25/29) or curved carapace length (83%, 24/29). Length and body mass effects were found for eosinophils, heterophil:lymphocyte ratio, alkaline phosphatase, aspartate transaminase and urea. Significant differences between foraging grounds were found for albumin, cholesterol, potassium, total protein, triglycerides, uric acid and calcium:phosphorus ratio. We provide derived RIs for foraging green turtles, which will be helpful in future population health assessments and conservation efforts. Future RI studies on threatened species would benefit from adapting established veterinary and biomedical standards.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Kophamel
- College of Public Health, Medical and Veterinary Sciences, James Cook University, Townsville, Queensland, 4811, Australia
| | - Donna Rudd
- College of Public Health, Medical and Veterinary Sciences, James Cook University, Townsville, Queensland, 4811, Australia
| | - Leigh C Ward
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, 4072, Australia
| | - Edith Shum
- College of Public Health, Medical and Veterinary Sciences, James Cook University, Townsville, Queensland, 4811, Australia
| | - Ellen Ariel
- College of Public Health, Medical and Veterinary Sciences, James Cook University, Townsville, Queensland, 4811, Australia
| | - Diana Mendez
- Australian Institute of Tropical Health and Medicine, James Cook University, Townsville, Queensland, 4811, Australia
| | - Jemma Starling
- College of Public Health, Medical and Veterinary Sciences, James Cook University, Townsville, Queensland, 4811, Australia
| | - Renee Mellers
- College of Public Health, Medical and Veterinary Sciences, James Cook University, Townsville, Queensland, 4811, Australia
| | - Richard K Burchell
- North Coast Veterinary Specialist and Referral Centre, Sunshine Coast, Queensland, 4556, Australia
| | - Suzanne L Munns
- College of Public Health, Medical and Veterinary Sciences, James Cook University, Townsville, Queensland, 4811, Australia
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10
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Spinks RK, Donelson JM, Bonzi LC, Ravasi T, Munday PL. Parents exposed to warming produce offspring lower in weight and condition. Ecol Evol 2022; 12:e9044. [PMID: 35866024 PMCID: PMC9288889 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.9044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2022] [Revised: 05/24/2022] [Accepted: 05/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The parental environment can alter offspring phenotypes via the transfer of non-genetic information. Parental effects may be viewed as an extension of (within-generation) phenotypic plasticity. Smaller size, poorer physical condition, and skewed sex ratios are common responses of organisms to global warming, yet whether parental effects alleviate, exacerbate, or have no impact on these responses has not been widely tested. Further, the relative non-genetic influence of mothers and fathers and ontogenetic timing of parental exposure to warming on offspring phenotypes is poorly understood. Here, we tested how maternal, paternal, and biparental exposure of a coral reef fish (Acanthochromis polyacanthus) to elevated temperature (+1.5°C) at different ontogenetic stages (development vs reproduction) influences offspring length, weight, condition, and sex. Fish were reared across two generations in present-day and projected ocean warming in a full factorial design. As expected, offspring of parents exposed to present-day control temperature that were reared in warmer water were shorter than their siblings reared in control temperature; however, within-generation plasticity allowed maintenance of weight, resulting in a higher body condition. Parental exposure to warming, irrespective of ontogenetic timing and sex, resulted in decreased weight and condition in all offspring rearing temperatures. By contrast, offspring sex ratios were not strongly influenced by their rearing temperature or that of their parents. Together, our results reveal that phenotypic plasticity may help coral reef fishes maintain performance in a warm ocean within a generation, but could exacerbate the negative effects of warming between generations, regardless of when mothers and fathers are exposed to warming. Alternatively, the multigenerational impact on offspring weight and condition may be a necessary cost to adapt metabolism to increasing temperatures. This research highlights the importance of examining phenotypic plasticity within and between generations across a range of traits to accurately predict how organisms will respond to climate change.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel K. Spinks
- ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef StudiesJames Cook UniversityTownsvilleQueenslandAustralia
| | - Jennifer M. Donelson
- ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef StudiesJames Cook UniversityTownsvilleQueenslandAustralia
| | - Lucrezia C. Bonzi
- Division of Biological and Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Red Sea Research CenterKing Abdullah University of Science and TechnologyThuwalSaudi Arabia
| | - Timothy Ravasi
- ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef StudiesJames Cook UniversityTownsvilleQueenslandAustralia
- Marine Climate Change UnitOkinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate UniversityOnnaJapan
| | - Philip L. Munday
- ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef StudiesJames Cook UniversityTownsvilleQueenslandAustralia
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