Extensive transcriptional variation poses a challenge to thermal stress biomarker development for endangered corals.

摘要: As climate changes, sea surface temperature anomalies that negatively impact coral reef organisms continue to increase in frequency and intensity. Yet, despite widespread mortality, genetic diversity remains high even those species listed as threatened. While this is good news many ways, it presents a challenge for the development of biomarkers can identify resilient or vulnerable genotypes. Taking advantage three restoration nurseries Florida serve long-term common garden experiments, we exposed over 30 genetically distinct Acropora cervicornis colonies hot cold shocks seasonally measured pooled gene expression responses using RNAseq. Targeting subset 20 genes, designed high-throughput qPCR array quantify all individuals separately under each treatment with goal identifying predictive and/or diagnostic thermal stress biomarkers. We observed extensive transcriptional variation population, suggesting abundant raw material available adaptation via natural selection. However, made difficult correlate changes colony performance metrics such growth, mortality bleaching susceptibility. Nevertheless, identified several promising acute may improve change mitigation efforts future.