Molecular responses of a key Antarctic species to sedimentation due to rapid climate change

RUIZ, MICAELA B.; SERVETTO, NATALIA; ABELE, DORIS; HARMS, LARS; SAHADE, RICARDO; HELD, CHRISTOPH

MARINE ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH

ELSEVIER SCI LTD

Año: 2022

0141-1136

Rapid regional warming causing glacial retreat and melting of ice caps in Antarctica leadsbenthic filter-feeders to be exposed to periods of food shortage and high respiratory impairmentas a consequence of seasonal sediment discharge in the West Antarctic Peninsula coastal areas.The molecular physiological response and its fine-tuning allow species to survive acuteenvironmental stress and are thus a prerequisite to longer-term adaptation to changingenvironments. Under experimental conditions, we analyzed here the metabolic response tochanges in suspended sediment concentrations, through transcriptome sequencing andenzymatic measurements in a highly abundant Antarctic ascidian. We found that the mechanismsunderlying short-term response to sedimentation in Cnemidocarpa verrucosa sp. A involvedapoptosis, immune defense, and general metabolic depression. These mechanisms may beunderstood as an adaptive protection against sedimentation caused by glacial retreat. Thisprocess can strongly contribute to the structuring of future benthic filter-feeder communities in theface of climate change.