Genetic architecture of behavioural resilience to ocean acidification

Robert Lehmann, Celia Schunter, Megan J. Welch, Stefan T. Arold, Göran E. Nilsson, Jesper N. Tegner, Philip L. Munday, Timothy Ravasi

Abstract: h3>Abstract</h3> <p>Genetic variation is essential for adaptation to rapid environmental changes. Identifying genetic variation associated with climate-change related phenotypes is therefore the necessary first step towards predictive models of genomic vulnerability.</p><p>Here we used a whole-genome scan to identify candidate genetic variants associated with differences in behavioural resilience to ocean acidification in a coral reef fish. We identified three genomic regions that differ between individuals that are behaviourally tolerant compared with behaviourally sensitive to elevated CO₂. These include a dopamine receptor (<i>drd4rs</i>), cadherin related family member 5-like (<i>cdhr5l</i>), Synapse-associated protein 1 (<i>syap1</i>), and GRB2 Associated Regulator of MAPK1 Subtype 2 (<i>garem2</i>), which have previously been found to modify behaviour related to boldness, novelty seeking, and learning in other species, and differ between behaviourally tolerant and sensitive individuals.</p><p>Consequently, the identified genes are promising candidates in the search of the genetic underpinnings and adaptive potential of behavioural resilience to ocean acidification in fishes.</p>

External IDs:doi:10.1101/2022.10.18.512656