Life-History Transgenerational Responses to Thermal Fluctuations in a Marine Invertebrate
Abstract/Description/Artist Statement
Thermal fluctuations are becoming more intense, extreme, and unpredictable in coastal environments, exposing marine organisms to increasingly variable and stressful conditions. In this study, we explore the mechanisms underpinning variation in life-history traits, including survival, fecundity, and growth rate, under thermal regimes that differ in predictability, using the marine annelid Ophryotrocha labronica as a model species. Following three generations of acclimation at 24 °C, hatchlings from 80 broods were exposed to one of four thermal treatments for three subsequent generations (F1–F3): constant 24 °C, constant 27 °C, predictable fluctuating, or unpredictable fluctuating regimes. In the F1 and F3 generations, life-history traits and survival were quantified by rearing sixteen broods per regime across two acclimatory temperatures (24 °C and 27 °C). Variability in offspring performance within broods was evaluated using the coefficient of variation of age at maturity, growth to first reproduction, age and size at first reproduction, fecundity, and survival. The results indicate that thermal history can shape both the distribution of life-history outcomes and survival within broods. These findings are consistent with multiple, non-exclusive mechanisms, including plasticity and the potential emergence of bet-hedging strategies, highlighting the complex ways organisms respond to increasing climatic variability.
Faculty Advisor/Mentor
Gloria Massamba N'Siala
Faculty Advisor/Mentor Email
gmassamb@odu.edu
Faculty Advisor/Mentor Department
Biological Sciences
College/School Affiliation
College of Sciences
Student Level Group
Graduate/Professional
Presentation Type
Oral Presentation
Life-History Transgenerational Responses to Thermal Fluctuations in a Marine Invertebrate
Thermal fluctuations are becoming more intense, extreme, and unpredictable in coastal environments, exposing marine organisms to increasingly variable and stressful conditions. In this study, we explore the mechanisms underpinning variation in life-history traits, including survival, fecundity, and growth rate, under thermal regimes that differ in predictability, using the marine annelid Ophryotrocha labronica as a model species. Following three generations of acclimation at 24 °C, hatchlings from 80 broods were exposed to one of four thermal treatments for three subsequent generations (F1–F3): constant 24 °C, constant 27 °C, predictable fluctuating, or unpredictable fluctuating regimes. In the F1 and F3 generations, life-history traits and survival were quantified by rearing sixteen broods per regime across two acclimatory temperatures (24 °C and 27 °C). Variability in offspring performance within broods was evaluated using the coefficient of variation of age at maturity, growth to first reproduction, age and size at first reproduction, fecundity, and survival. The results indicate that thermal history can shape both the distribution of life-history outcomes and survival within broods. These findings are consistent with multiple, non-exclusive mechanisms, including plasticity and the potential emergence of bet-hedging strategies, highlighting the complex ways organisms respond to increasing climatic variability.