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).
Highlights
Marine invertebrates have complex life cycles alternating between the short-lived embryonic and larval stages and the long-lived adult stage
Transgenerational effects are essential for the full understanding of phenotypic plasticity and evolutionary adaptation of marine invertebrates in the changing ocean (Ross, Parker & Byrne, 2016)
We reported both positive and negative transgenerational effects of UV-B radiation on egg size, fertilization, hatchability and larval size in sea urchins
Summary
Marine invertebrates have complex life cycles alternating between the short-lived embryonic and larval stages and the long-lived adult stage. Carryover effects can arise within a generation, for example, embryonic and larval experiences can affect the success of juveniles and adults; as well as across a generation (transgenerational effects), with phenotypic changes in offspring in response to the environmental stress experienced by one or both parents (Kovalchuk, 2012; Shama & Wegner, 2014; Munday, 2014). UV-B radiation probably brings about long-term and transgenerational carryover effects on the fitness of marine invertebrates (Zhao et al, 2018a), because UV-B causes cellular damage by oxidizing proteins, DNA and membrane lipids cannot immediately recover or even irreversible (Adams & Shick, 2001)
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