Within-generation and transgenerational plasticity of mate choice in oceanic stickleback under climate change

Abstract

One contribution of 13 to a theme issue 'The role of plasticity in phenotypic adaptation to rapid environmental change'.Plasticity, both within and across generations, can shape sexual traits involved in mate choice and reproductive success, and thus direct measures of fitness. Especially, transgenerational plasticity (TGP), where parental environment influences offspring plasticity in future environments, could compensate for otherwise negative effects of environmental change on offspring sexual traits. We conducted a mate choice experiment using stickleback (Gasterosteus aculeatus) with different thermal histories (ambient 178C or elevated 218C) within and across generations under simulated ocean warming using outdoor mesocosms. Parentage analysis of egg clutches revealed that maternal developmental temperature and reproductive (mesocosm) environment affected egg size, with females that developed at 178C laying smaller eggs in 218C mesocosms, likely owing to metabolic costs at elevated temperature. Paternal developmental temperature interacted with the reproductive environment to influence mating success, particularly under simulated ocean warming, with males that developed at 218C showing lower overall mating success compared with 178C males, but higher mating success in 218C mesocosms. Furthermore, mating success of males was influenced by the interaction between F1 developmental temperature and F0 parent acclimation temperature, demonstrating the potential role of both TGP and within-generation plasticity in shaping traits involved in sexual selection and mate choice, potentially facilitating rapid responses to environmental change.This article is part of the theme issue 'The role of plasticity in phenotypic adaptation to rapid environmental change'.

From gametogenesis to spawning: How climate‐driven warming affects teleost reproductive biology

“…Contradictory results have been reported regarding the impact of high temperature on egg size, ranging from no effect to reduced egg diameter, associated sometimes with increasing intra‐clutch variance (Ashton et al ., 2019; Donelson et al ., 2010; Farmer et al ., 2015; Feiner et al ., 2016; Fuxjäger et al ., 2019; King et al ., 2003; Tanaka et al ., 2019; Tveiten et al ., 2001; Tveiten & Johnsen, 1999) (Table 2). Similar to the timing of spawning, the moment at which parents are exposed to elevated temperature can modulate impacts on egg size.…”

“…Although TGP has been studied from one generation to the next (Shama et al ., 2014; Thorn et al ., 2019) or after several generations in teleosts (Donelson et al ., 2012, 2016; Fuxjäger et al ., 2019; Loisel et al ., 2019; Ryu et al ., 2020; Veilleux et al ., 2018), few studies have investigated reproductive function and success. In the following sections, studies on G. aculeatus and A. polyacanthus will be discussed, as significant progress on understanding TGP in the context of reproductive function has been made for these species.…”

“…In another two‐generation experiment on G. aculeatus , elevated maternal DT (21°C) caused a reduction in F2 (but not F1) egg size, without affecting the hatching success (Fuxjäger et al ., 2019). However, a decrease in egg size was also observed when optimal DT (17°C) females were placed at 21°C during reproduction only, demonstrating the importance of temperature during reproduction, maternal DT, and the interaction between them over generations (Fuxjäger et al ., 2019). In addition, mating success ( i.e ., number of realized matings divided by the number of all potential matings) was positively affected by TGP (Fuxjäger et al ., 2019).…”

“…(2016), more species‐specific work is needed on TGP, especially in species with ecological or fisheries importance, to better understand the biological mechanisms involved under climate change. In addition, TGP can be mediated by either paternal or maternal mechanisms at elevated temperature (Shama et al ., 2014; for review, see Donelson et al ., 2018; Veilleux et al ., 2018; Fuxjäger et al ., 2019), highlighting the importance of studying both sexes in the context of global warming. Finally, Donelson et al .…”

Beyond buying time: the role of plasticity in phenotypic adaptation to rapid environmental change

“…In Emborski & Mikheyev's study [21] on fruit flies (Drosophila melanogaster), some phenotypic traits (triglyceride level) showed parent-of-origin effects, while others (sugar level) did not. In addition, both Fuxjäger et al [20] and Emborski & Mikheyev [21] demonstrate that phenotypic changes can be sex-specific. When the focus is at the individual level, trade-offs between traits can occur, which could reduce adaptive potential with transgenerational exposure, as seen in the polychaete (Ophryotrocha labronica) [23].…”