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Heatwave-induced paternal effects have limited adaptive benefits in offspring
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  • Sara Irish,
  • Andreas Sutter,
  • Livia Pinzoni,
  • Mabel Sydney,
  • Laura Travers,
  • David Murray,
  • Jean-Charles DeCoriolis,
  • Simone Immler
Sara Irish
University of East Anglia

Corresponding Author:s.irish@uea.ac.uk

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Andreas Sutter
University of East Anglia
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Livia Pinzoni
University of East Anglia
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Mabel Sydney
University of East Anglia
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Laura Travers
University of East Anglia
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David Murray
University of East Anglia
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Jean-Charles DeCoriolis
University of East Anglia
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Simone Immler
University of East Anglia
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Abstract

As the threat of climate change and associated heatwaves grows, we need to understand how natural populations will respond. Inter-generational non-genetic inheritance may play a key role in rapid adaptation, but whether such mechanisms are truly adaptive and sufficient to protect wild populations is unclear. The contribution of paternal effects in particular is not fully understood, even though the male reproductive system may be highly sensitive to heatwaves. We used the zebrafish Danio rerio to investigate the effects of heatwaves on male fertility and assess potential adaptive benefits to their offspring in a number of large-scale heatwave experiments. Heatwave conditions had negative effects on male fertility by reducing gamete quality and fertilisation success, and we found indications of an adaptive effect on hatching in offspring produced by heatwave-exposed males. Our findings highlight the importance of including male and female fertility when determining species ability to cope with extreme conditions and suggest that parental effects provide limited adaptive benefits.
Submitted to Ecology and Evolution
18 Jun 2024Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
18 Jun 2024Editorial Decision: Revise Minor
12 Aug 20241st Revision Received
16 Aug 2024Assigned to Editor
16 Aug 2024Submission Checks Completed
16 Aug 2024Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
19 Aug 2024Reviewer(s) Assigned
20 Sep 2024Editorial Decision: Accept