Penney, C. M. | Search bioRxiv

bioRxiv2021

Within- and transgenerational plasticity of a temperate salmonid in response to thermal acclimation and acute temperature stress

Environmental temperatures associated with climate change are rising too rapidly for many species to adapt, threatening the persistence of taxa with limited capacities for thermal acclimation. We investigated the capacity for within- and transgenerational responses to increasing environmental temperatures in brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis), a cold-adapted salmonid. Adult fish were acclimated to temperatures within (10{square}) and above (21{square}) their thermal optimum for six months before spawning, then mated in a full factorial breeding design to produce offspring from cold- and warm-acclimated parents as well as bidirectional crosses between parents from both temperature treatments. Offspring families were subdivided and reared at two acclimation temperatures (15{square} and 19{square}) representing their current environment and a projected climate change scenario. Offspring thermal physiology was measured as the rate of oxygen consumption (MO2) during an acute change in temperature (+2{square} h-1) to observe their MO2-temperature relationship. We also recorded resting MO2, the highest achieved (peak) MO2, and critical thermal maximum (CTM) as performance metrics. Within-generation plasticity was greater than transgenerational plasticity, with offspring acclimation temperature having demonstrable effects on peak MO2 and CTM. Transgenerational plasticity was evident as an elevated resting MO2 and the MO2-temperature relationship in offspring from warm-acclimated parents. Both parents contributed to offspring thermal responses, although the paternal effect was stronger. Although brook trout exhibit both within- and transgenerational plasticity for thermal physiology, it is unlikely that these will be sufficient for coping with long-term changes to environmental temperatures resulting from climate change. SummaryBrook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) exhibit within-generation and transgenerational plasticity for thermal performance, although neither response appears sufficient to cope with long-term climate change effects.

physiology↗

bioRxiv2020

Limited transgenerational effects of environmental temperatures on thermal performance of a cold-adapted salmonid

The capacity of ectotherms to cope with rising temperatures associated with climate change is a significant conservation concern as the rate of warming is likely too fast for adaptation to occur in some populations. Transgenerational plasticity, if present, could potentially buffer some of the negative impacts of warming on future generations. We examined transgenerational plasticity in lake trout to assess their inter-generational potential to cope with anticipated warming. We acclimated adult lake trout to cold or warm temperatures for several months, then bred them to produce offspring from parents of matched and mismatched temperatures. At the fry stage, offspring were also acclimated to cold or warm temperatures and their thermal performance was assessed by measuring their critical thermal maximum and metabolic rate during an acute temperature challenge. Overall, transgenerational plasticity was evident: thermal performance of offspring reflected both maternal and paternal environmental conditions, and offspring performed better when their environment matched that of their parents. There was little variation in offspring critical thermal maximum or peak metabolic rate, although cold-acclimated offspring from warm-acclimated parents exhibited elevated standard metabolic rates, suggesting that transgenerational effects can be detrimental when parent and offspring environments mismatch. These results demonstrate both the occurrence and limitations of transgenerational plasticity in a coldwater salmonid in response to elevated temperature, as well as potential ecological risks associated with transgenerational plasticity when an environmental change experienced by the parents does not persist with the next generation.

physiology↗