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Genetic tropicalisation following a marine heatwave
Melinda A Coleman1,2,3, Antoine J P Minne4,5, Sofie Vranken5
1New South Wales Fisheries, National Marine Science Centre, 2 Bay Drive, Coffs Harbour, NSW, 2450, Australia. melinda.coleman@gmail.com.
Scientific Reports
|July 31, 2020
Summary
Marine heatwaves are driving significant genetic shifts in kelp forests, causing a poleward movement of genetic clusters. This "genetic tropicalisation" results in reduced genetic diversity and increased inbreeding in affected populations.
Area of Science:
- Marine ecology
- Population genetics
- Climate change impacts
Background:
- Extreme weather events, such as marine heatwaves, are increasing globally.
- Their ecological consequences are evident, but impacts on genetic diversity and structure remain poorly understood.
- This knowledge gap hinders the assessment of adaptive capacity and ecosystem vulnerability.
Purpose of the Study:
- To empirically demonstrate the genetic consequences of an extreme marine heatwave on kelp forest populations.
- To investigate the extent of genetic shifts and changes in genetic diversity and structure.
- To understand the mechanisms driving these genetic changes.
Main Methods:
- Utilizing rare "before" data from kelp forests.
- Analyzing genetic clusters and allele frequencies across a 200 km coastline.
- Assessing genetic diversity and inbreeding metrics post-heatwave.
Main Results:
- A significant poleward shift in genetic clusters of kelp forests was observed.
- Alleles characteristic of cooler waters were replaced by those from warmer waters.
- Genetic diversity declined, and inbreeding increased in the most affected site, while remaining stable elsewhere.
Conclusions:
- Extreme marine heatwaves can drive substantial genetic changes in natural populations, termed "genetic tropicalisation".
- These events cause significant mortality and population loss, facilitating genetic shifts.
- Understanding these genetic impacts is crucial for predicting ecosystem responses to climate change.
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