Thermotolerance and heat-shock protein expression in Northeastern Pacific Nucella species with different biogeographical ranges

摘要: We investigated physiological traits responsible for determining the tide-height and latitudinal distributions of Northeastern Pacific Nucella congeners. First, we determined thermotolerances two species intertidal dogwhelks, N. ostrina canaliculata, which co-occur on Oregon coast. found that ostrina, are distributed higher shore, thus experience habitat temperatures, than had correspondingly heat-coma temperatures. Second, acclimated individuals all five congeners to a common temperature their thermotolerances, measured as recovery from thermal exposure, after 5-day, 3-week, 7-week acclimation period. The south-latitude (N. emarginata) mid-latitude ostrina) high-intertidal were more thermotolerant low-intertidal canaliculata lamellosa) north-latitude lima) species. results these experiments suggest plays role in Finally, total inducible levels an evolutionarily conserved ecologically relevant protein, 70-kDa heat-shock protein (Hsp70), has been confer thermotolerance model laboratory organisms. showed level total, not stress inducible, Hsp70 was better predictor there species-specific differences relationship between expression thermotolerance. may be important conferring nature molecular chaperones underlie increased conspecifics.