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Coping with marine heatwaves: Tissue-specific neuroendocrine and immune adjustments in small-spotted catsharks
Sandra Martins1,2, Rute Felix2, Catarina Pereira Santos1,3
1MARE - Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre/ARNET - Aquatic Research Network, Laboratório Marítimo da Guia, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, Cascais, Portugal.
Abstract:
Rising ocean temperatures disrupt neuroendocrine-immune interactions in vertebrates. Neuroendocrine gene expression in the liver, spleen, intestine, blood cells and epigonal organ was examined in small-spotted catsharks (Scyliorhinus canicula) exposed to a 30-day simulated marine heatwave. Correlations among neuroendocrine genes, immune- and iron-related genes, plasma biochemistry and leukocyte assays revealed tissue-specific expression patterns, reduced inter-individual variability and coordinated transcriptional modulation across tissues. Overall, catsharks exhibited integrated adjustments to thermal stress, most likely to balance metabolic demands with immune resilience.

