Microbiome dynamics across life stages, generations and climate treatments in a tropical sea urchin

Given the critical role of microbes in host health, understanding microbial contribution to transgenerational plasticity is essential for generating realistic predictions of coral reef responses to future climate. Through a 4-year multigenerational experiment, the microbial dynamics in the tropical sea urchin Echinometra sp. A were explored under temperature and pCO2 levels predicted for years 2050 and 2100 (RCP 8.5).

Publication of this study:

Marangon, E., Uthicke, S., Patel, F., Marzinelli, E. M., Bourne, D. G., Webster, N. S., & Laffy, P. W. (2023). Life-stage specificity and cross-generational climate effects on the microbiome of a tropical sea urchin (Echinodermata: Echinoidea). Molecular Ecology, 00, 1–16. https://doi.org/10.1111/mec.17124

Realted papers from the same experimental study (urchin physiological and behavioural performances):

Uthicke, S., Patel, F., Karelitz, S., Luter, H., Webster, N., & Lamare, M. (2020). Key biological responses over two generations of the sea urchin Echinometra sp. A under future ocean conditions. Marine Ecology Progress Series, 637, 87–101. https://doi.org/10.3354/meps13236

Karelitz, S., Lamare, M., Patel, F., Gemmell, N., & Uthicke, S. (2020). Parental acclimation to future ocean conditions increases development rates but decreases survival in sea urchin larvae. Marine Biology, 167(1), 2. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00227-019-3610-5

Uthicke, S., Patel, F., Petrik, C., Watson, S., Karelitz, S. E., & Lamare, M. D. (2021). Cross-generational response of a tropical sea urchin to global change and a selection event in a 43-month mesocosm study. Glob Change Biol, 27: 3448-3462. https://doi.org/10.1111/gcb.15657