Parental exposures increase the vulnerability of copepod offspring to copper and a simulated marine heatwave

Extreme temperatures from marine heatwaves (MHWs) and pollution are dominant stressors in tropical marine ecosystems. However, we know little about the role of transgenerational effects of metals and MHWs in shaping the offspring's vulnerability to these stressors. We addressed this fundamental knowledge gap by exposing the planktonic copepod Pseudodiaptomus incisus to copper (Cu: control, 15 and 60 mu g L-1) under 2 temperatures (30 and a simulated marine heatwave at 34 degrees C) in the first generation (F1) and 16 treatments in F2: offspring from each of 4 F1 conditions (control or 15 mu g Cu L-1 x 30 or 34 degrees C) was reared in 4 F2 conditions (control or 15 mu g Cu L-1 x 30 or 34 degrees C). We assessed changes in copepod performance, particularly survival, adult size, grazing, and reproduction. In F1, Cu or marine heatwave (MHW) exposures reduced all fitness traits of F1; the effects were particularly strong when both stressors were present. Transgenerational effects of Cu or MHW also strongly reduced F2 performance. Direct Cu and MHW effects on the offspring were further strengthened by transgenerational effects, resulting in more substantial reductions in F2 performance when both generations were exposed to these stressors. As copepods are major food resources for corals, shrimps, or fish larvae and juveniles, strong transgenerational and direct effects of Cu and MHW can have a cascading effect on entire coastal food webs. These results highlight the importance of considering the interaction of transgenerational and direct effects of multiple stressors, particularly relevant for short-lived organisms in tropical marine ecosystems.

Automated summary

The study revealed that transgenerational effects of copper and marine heatwaves can reduce the performance of copepods, especially when facing multiple stressors. These results highlight the importance of considering the interaction of direct and transgenerational effects of multiple stressors in tropical marine ecosystems.