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Multilocus adaptation associated with heat resistance in reef-building corals
Rachael A Bay1, Stephen R Palumbi1
1Department of Biology, Hopkins Marine Station of Stanford University, Pacific Grove, CA 93950, USA.
Current Biology : CB
|December 3, 2014
Summary
Wild corals possess a genetic reservoir for heat tolerance, with specific gene variants preadapting them to warmer conditions. This natural variation suggests a potential for evolutionary adaptation to climate change impacts.
Area of Science:
- Marine Biology
- Genetics
- Climate Change Science
Background:
- Coral reefs face significant threats from climate change, particularly rising sea temperatures leading to bleaching.
- Understanding the genetic basis of coral thermal tolerance is crucial for predicting their resilience and adaptive potential.
- Previous studies indicate that corals in naturally warmer microclimates exhibit enhanced resistance to thermal stress.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify genetic variants (single nucleotide polymorphisms or SNPs) associated with thermal tolerance in the coral Acropora hyacinthus.
- To investigate the role of natural selection in maintaining genetic diversity related to heat resistance in a heterogeneous environment.
- To assess the potential for evolutionary adaptation of corals to future climate change.
Main Methods:
- Genotyping of 15,399 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in 23 Acropora hyacinthus coral colonies.
- Analysis of corals from a natural temperature mosaic in backreef lagoons on Ofu Island, American Samoa.
- Application of outlier tests and correlation analysis to identify SNPs under environmental selection related to temperature.
Main Results:
- 114 highly divergent SNPs were identified as candidates for environmental selection, showing correlation with temperature.
- Corals from warmer reef locations exhibited higher minor allele frequencies at candidate loci compared to non-candidate loci.
- Colonies in warmer microclimates showed a higher frequency of alternative alleles at candidate loci, suggesting selection during heat events.
Conclusions:
- A natural population of Acropora hyacinthus harbors a reservoir of alleles preadapted to high temperatures.
- Mild selection for alternative alleles at numerous loci may maintain genetic polymorphism in heterogeneous thermal environments.
- The identified genetic variation provides a basis for the evolutionary response of corals to ongoing climate change.
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