As climate change continues to heat up the world's oceans, many aquatic species will face increasing threats to their survival. But one little fish has found a way to genetically adapt.
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In an Australian-led study, researchers examined the genes of coral reef fish and the way they responded after many generations living at higher temperatures predicted under climate change.
"What we've known from recent studies is that some fish in particular are able to improve their performance at higher temperatures if both the offspring and their parents have been under the high temperatures," said Professor Philip Munday, a report author from the ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies.
"What this study really tells us is which genes are involved in doing that."
In a collaboration with scientists from the King Abdullah University of Science and Technology in Saudi Arabia, researchers from James Cook University in Townsville identified 53 genes involved in long-term adaptation to higher temperatures.
They found significantly higher levels of metabolic gene activity in fish exposed to higher temperatures for two generations, as well as higher levels of immune and stress genes in the second generation.
Professor Munday said the fish are essentially "switching certain genes on and off".
"This tells us that metabolic processes and energy use are likely to be really important in helping animals cope with warming in the future," said Professor Munday.
The species involved in the study was the spiny damselfish, a number of which were brought in from the Great Barrier Reef for breeding and observation in a purpose built facility at James Cook University.
The study is the first to highlight the molecular processes that may help coral reef fishes and other marine species adjust to warmer conditions in the future.
Dr Heather Veilleux, also from ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, said the study has uncovered what has previously been a mystery.
"Understanding which genes are involved in transgenerational acclimation and how their expression is regulated will improve our understanding of adaptive responses to rapid environmental change," she said.
"[It will] help identify which species are most at risk from climate change and which species are more tolerant."
