ORCID
- John I. Spicer: 0000-0002-6861-4039
- Manuela Truebano: 0000-0003-2586-6524
Abstract
Recent evidence suggests that the adult phenotype is influenced by temperatures experienced in early life. However, our understanding of the extent to which the embryonic environment can modulate thermal tolerance later in life is limited, owing to the paucity of studies with appropriate experimental designs to test for this form of developmental plasticity. We investigated whether the thermal environment experienced during embryonic development affects thermal limits in later life. Embryos of the estuarine amphipod Gammarus chevreuxi were incubated until hatching to 15 °C, 20 °C and 25 °C, then reared under a common temperature. Using thermal ramping assays, we determined upper thermal limits in juveniles, four weeks post-hatch. Individuals exposed to higher temperatures during embryonic development displayed greater thermal tolerance as juveniles (acclimation response ratio ≈ 0.10–0.25 for upper lethal temperature). However, we suggest that the degree of developmental plasticity observed is limited, and will provide little benefit under future climate change scenarios.
DOI
10.1016/j.marenvres.2024.106350
Publication Date
2024-01-01
Publication Title
Marine Environmental Research
Volume
195
ISSN
0141-1136
Keywords
Carry-over effects, CT, Early life-stages, Ontogeny, Thermal acclimation, Thermal performance
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Recommended Citation
Truebano, M., Haskett, H., Gill, L., & Spicer, J. (2024) 'The embryonic thermal environment has positive but weak effects on thermal tolerance later in life in the aquatic invertebrate Gammarus chevreuxi', Marine Environmental Research, 195. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marenvres.2024.106350
