Transgenerational effects of UV-B radiation on egg size, fertilization, hatching and larval size of sea urchinsStrongylocentrotus intermedius

Abstract

Transgenerational effects are important for phenotypic plasticity and adaptation of marine invertebrates in the changing ocean. Ultraviolet-B (UV-B) radiation is an increasing threat to marine invertebrates. For the first time, we reported positive and negative transgenerational effects of UV-B radiation on egg size, fertilization, hatchability and larval size of a marine invertebrate. Strongylocentrotus intermedius exposed to UV-B radiation showed positive transgenerational effects and adaptation on egg size, hatching rate and post-oral arm length of larvae. Negative transgenerational effects were found in body length, stomach length and stomach width of larvae whose parents were exposed to UV-B radiation. Sires probably play important roles in transgenerational effects of UV-B. The present study provides valuable information into transgenerational effects of UV-B radiation on fitness related traits of sea urchins (at least Strongylocentrotus intermedius).

Carryover effects from environmental change in early life: An overlooked driver of the amphibian extinction crisis?

“…As our knowledge of carryover effects improves, another important consideration is beneficial carryover effects that are derived from processes such as canalisation, reversible phenotypic plasticity, cross‐tolerance and trans‐generational adaptation (Ding et al, 2019; Relyea, 2001). Better knowledge of these processes may allow conservationists to take advantage of these processes.…”

“…Importantly, UVR impacts on DNA damage, methylation, chromatin remodelling and gene expression patterns that may have epigenetic consequences affecting survivability of the next generation (De Oliveira et al, 2020; Ho & Burggren, 2010; Rowinski et al, 2020). For example, Ding et al (2019) observed UVR‐induced trans‐generational effects on hatching success and larval size in sea urchins ( Strongylocentrotus intermediusa ). A better understanding of such trans‐generational effects is necessary for better elucidating the long‐term consequences of UVR, and climate change more generally, on amphibian population dynamics (Blaustein et al, 2010).…”

“…For example, factors leading to nutrient limitations have been identified as important drivers of seasonal carryover effects in migratory birds, likely due to impacts on long‐term energy balance (Harrison et al, 2011). As a genotoxic stressor, UVR may generate carryover effects in many taxa residing in shallow and clear aquatic habitats (Ding et al, 2019; Zhao et al, 2018). Importantly, other environmental factors including disease, contaminants and temperature have also been shown to interact with UVR to influence organism physiology and may themselves induce carryover effects if experienced simultaneously or subsequent to UVR exposure (Alton & Franklin, 2017; Blaustein et al, 2003; Kiesecker & Blaustein, 1995; Lundsgaard et al, 2020).…”

“…In recent years, ecological carryover effects have been broadly defined to include any delayed effects of the surroundings on phenotype that span transitions in the environment (e.g., season) or life‐history (e.g., maturation and metamorphosis) of an organism (O'Connor et al, 2014; O'Connor & Cooke, 2015). Carryover effects may influence morphology, physiology, behaviour or genetics, and can be transient, permanent or trans‐generational in nature (Ding et al, 2019; O'Connor et al, 2014; Pechenik, 2006). Some carryover effects may not be evident or visible in the life‐history stage being exposed, instead manifesting in later life stages when individuals are exposed to an additional stressor (‘latent effects’; Pechenik, 2006).…”

Gene regulation by DNA methylation is contingent on chromatin accessibility during transgenerational plasticity in the purple sea urchin

“…TGP linked to maternal effects have been observed in S. purpuratus for traits including egg protein content, larval body size, gene expression, and DNA methylation Strader et al, 2020;Strader, Wong, Kozal, Leach, & Hofmann, 2019;Wong, Johnson, Kelly, & Hofmann, 2018;Wong, Kozal, Leach, Hoshijima, & Hofmann, 2019) alongside similar observations in congeneric Strongylocentrotus spp. (Ding et al, 2019) and other urchin genera (Clark et al, 2019;Karelitz, Lamare, Patel, Gemmell, & Uthicke, 2019;Wong & Hofmann, 2021). Maternal conditioning of S. purpuratus to abiotic conditions mimicking coastal upwelling can induce 3 -6x greater DM in offspring larvae relative to the effects of larval development under upwelling (Strader et al, 2020; (which was not certified by peer review) is the author/funder.…”