Variable stressor exposure shapes fitness within and across generations
Abstract Environmental variation has long been considered a key driver of evolutionary change, predicted to shape different strategies, such as genetic specialization, plasticity, or bet-hedging to maintain fitness. However, little evidence is available with regards to how the periodicity of stresso...
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Nature Portfolio
2025-01-01
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| Series: | Scientific Reports |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-87334-8 |
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| author | Marcus Lee |
| author_facet | Marcus Lee |
| author_sort | Marcus Lee |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Environmental variation has long been considered a key driver of evolutionary change, predicted to shape different strategies, such as genetic specialization, plasticity, or bet-hedging to maintain fitness. However, little evidence is available with regards to how the periodicity of stressors may impact fitness across generations. To address this gap, I conducted a reciprocal split-brood experiment using the freshwater crustacean, Daphnia magna, and an ecologically relevant environmental stressor, ultraviolet radiation (UVR). I exposed one group to constant and another group to fluctuating UVR conditions. Despite receiving the same dose of UVR, the first experimental generation displayed significant treatment-by-genotype interactions with respect to survival and reproductive output, as well as a delayed reproductive maturity under fluctuating UVR conditions. In the following experimental generation individuals exposed to fluctuating UVR exhibited higher fitness than those in a constant UVR regime. The ancestral conditions, i.e., maternal environment, however affected the survival probability and reproductive output, but did not significantly influence the maturation date. Overall, I demonstrate that the delivery of a stressor, not just its intensity, can have profound fitness consequences across generations, with important implications for seasonal succession of genotype–phenotype patterns in natural environments. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-cb150290e9e8485cab1dd028c2270972 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2045-2322 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
| publisher | Nature Portfolio |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Scientific Reports |
| spelling | doaj-art-cb150290e9e8485cab1dd028c22709722025-02-02T12:19:53ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222025-01-0115111310.1038/s41598-025-87334-8Variable stressor exposure shapes fitness within and across generationsMarcus Lee0Aquatic Ecology, Department of Biology, Lund UniversityAbstract Environmental variation has long been considered a key driver of evolutionary change, predicted to shape different strategies, such as genetic specialization, plasticity, or bet-hedging to maintain fitness. However, little evidence is available with regards to how the periodicity of stressors may impact fitness across generations. To address this gap, I conducted a reciprocal split-brood experiment using the freshwater crustacean, Daphnia magna, and an ecologically relevant environmental stressor, ultraviolet radiation (UVR). I exposed one group to constant and another group to fluctuating UVR conditions. Despite receiving the same dose of UVR, the first experimental generation displayed significant treatment-by-genotype interactions with respect to survival and reproductive output, as well as a delayed reproductive maturity under fluctuating UVR conditions. In the following experimental generation individuals exposed to fluctuating UVR exhibited higher fitness than those in a constant UVR regime. The ancestral conditions, i.e., maternal environment, however affected the survival probability and reproductive output, but did not significantly influence the maturation date. Overall, I demonstrate that the delivery of a stressor, not just its intensity, can have profound fitness consequences across generations, with important implications for seasonal succession of genotype–phenotype patterns in natural environments.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-87334-8Environmental heterogeneityLife-history trade-offsStressor deliveryMultigenerationalClonal variationDaphnia |
| spellingShingle | Marcus Lee Variable stressor exposure shapes fitness within and across generations Scientific Reports Environmental heterogeneity Life-history trade-offs Stressor delivery Multigenerational Clonal variation Daphnia |
| title | Variable stressor exposure shapes fitness within and across generations |
| title_full | Variable stressor exposure shapes fitness within and across generations |
| title_fullStr | Variable stressor exposure shapes fitness within and across generations |
| title_full_unstemmed | Variable stressor exposure shapes fitness within and across generations |
| title_short | Variable stressor exposure shapes fitness within and across generations |
| title_sort | variable stressor exposure shapes fitness within and across generations |
| topic | Environmental heterogeneity Life-history trade-offs Stressor delivery Multigenerational Clonal variation Daphnia |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-87334-8 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT marcuslee variablestressorexposureshapesfitnesswithinandacrossgenerations |