Transgenerational effects of UV-B radiation on egg size, fertilization, hatching and larval size of sea urchins Strongylocentrotus intermedius

• Main Authors: Jingyun Ding, Lingling Zhang, Jiangnan Sun, Dongtao Shi, Xiaomei Chi, Mingfang Yang, Yaqing Chang, Chong Zhao
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: PeerJ Inc. 2019-08-01
• Series: PeerJ
• Subjects: UV-B; Transgenerational effect; Strongylocentrotus intermedius; Adaptation
• Online Access: https://peerj.com/articles/7598.pdf

Transgenerational effects are important for phenotypic plasticity and adaptation of marine invertebrates in the changing ocean. Ultraviolet-B (UV-B) radiation is an increasing threat to marine invertebrates. For the first time, we reported positive and negative transgenerational effects of UV-B radiation on egg size, fertilization, hatchability and larval size of a marine invertebrate. Strongylocentrotus intermedius exposed to UV-B radiation showed positive transgenerational effects and adaptation on egg size, hatching rate and post-oral arm length of larvae. Negative transgenerational effects were found in body length, stomach length and stomach width of larvae whose parents were exposed to UV-B radiation. Sires probably play important roles in transgenerational effects of UV-B. The present study provides valuable information into transgenerational effects of UV-B radiation on fitness related traits of sea urchins (at least Strongylocentrotus intermedius).