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How Does Local Temperature Shape Thermal Tolerance? A Test Using Congeneric Snails on Tropical Rocky Shores
T Y Hui1, S Crickenberger2, S H M Chan3
1Division of Science, Lingnan University, Hong Kong SAR, China.
The Biological Bulletin
|June 29, 2026
Summary
Two Nerita snail species show limited physiological plasticity to changing temperatures, especially in hotter tropical environments. This suggests tropical ectotherms may already be at their thermal limits, restricting further acclimatization.
Area of Science:
- Marine Biology
- Ecology
- Physiological Ecology
Background:
- Individual thermal physiology plasticity is shaped by evolutionary history and local environments.
- Understanding acclimatization capacity is crucial for predicting species responses to climate change.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate how thermal performance and acclimatization capacity vary between two rocky shore snail species (genus *Nerita*) in different tropical thermal conditions.
- To test the hypothesis that tropical ectotherms live close to their thermal limits.
Main Methods:
- Quantified thermal environments and physiological performances (heart rate) of *Nerita undata* and *Nerita yoldii* at two tropical locations (Hong Kong and Singapore).
- Compared thermal tolerance and plasticity in relation to environmental temperatures across species and sites.
Main Results:
- *Nerita undata* showed increased thermal tolerance with maximum environmental temperature in Hong Kong, but not in hotter Singapore sites.
- Snails in Singapore exhibited higher but less variable thermal tolerances (~50 °C).
- *Nerita yoldii* displayed limited physiological plasticity to environmental temperatures, similar to *N. undata* in Singapore.
Conclusions:
- Limited physiological plasticity in *Nerita* snails on harsh rocky shores may be a trade-off, constraining acclimatization capacity.
- Extreme thermal stress can limit energy gain, supporting the hypothesis that tropical ectotherms are near their thermal limits and have restricted ability to acclimatize further.
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