Rapid adaptive responses to climate change in corals

Gergely Torda (), Jennifer M. Donelson, Manuel Aranda, Daniel J. Barshis, Line Bay, Michael L. Berumen, David G. Bourne, Neal Cantin, Sylvain Foret, Mikhail Matz, David J. Miller, Aurelie Moya, Hollie M. Putnam, Timothy Ravasi, Madeleine J. H. van Oppen, Rebecca Vega Thurber, Jeremie Vidal-Dupiol, Christian R. Voolstra, Sue-Ann Watson, Emma Whitelaw, Bette L. Willis and Philip L. Munday
Additional contact information
Gergely Torda: ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, James Cook University
Jennifer M. Donelson: ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, James Cook University
Manuel Aranda: Red Sea Research Center, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST)
Daniel J. Barshis: Old Dominion University
Line Bay: ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, James Cook University
Michael L. Berumen: Red Sea Research Center, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST)
David G. Bourne: Australian Institute of Marine Science
Neal Cantin: Australian Institute of Marine Science
Sylvain Foret: ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, James Cook University
Mikhail Matz: University of Texas
David J. Miller: ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, James Cook University
Aurelie Moya: ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, James Cook University
Hollie M. Putnam: University of Rhode Island
Timothy Ravasi: KAUST Environmental Epigenetic Program, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology
Madeleine J. H. van Oppen: ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, James Cook University
Rebecca Vega Thurber: Oregon State University
Jeremie Vidal-Dupiol: IFREMER
Christian R. Voolstra: Red Sea Research Center, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST)
Sue-Ann Watson: ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, James Cook University
Emma Whitelaw: La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science
Bette L. Willis: ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, James Cook University
Philip L. Munday: ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, James Cook University

Nature Climate Change, 2017, vol. 7, issue 9, 627-636

Abstract: Abstract Pivotal to projecting the fate of coral reefs is the capacity of reef-building corals to acclimatize and adapt to climate change. Transgenerational plasticity may enable some marine organisms to acclimatize over several generations and it has been hypothesized that epigenetic processes and microbial associations might facilitate adaptive responses. However, current evidence is equivocal and understanding of the underlying processes is limited. Here, we discuss prospects for observing transgenerational plasticity in corals and the mechanisms that could enable adaptive plasticity in the coral holobiont, including the potential role of epigenetics and coral-associated microbes. Well-designed and strictly controlled experiments are needed to distinguish transgenerational plasticity from other forms of plasticity, and to elucidate the underlying mechanisms and their relative importance compared with genetic adaptation.

Date: 2017
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DOI: 10.1038/nclimate3374

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