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Experimental heatwaves compromise sperm function and cause transgenerational damage in a model insect

Author

Listed:
  • Kris Sales

    (University of East Anglia)

  • Ramakrishnan Vasudeva

    (University of East Anglia)

  • Matthew E. Dickinson

    (University of East Anglia)

  • Joanne L. Godwin

    (University of East Anglia)

  • Alyson J. Lumley

    (University of East Anglia)

  • Łukasz Michalczyk

    (Jagiellonian University)

  • Laura Hebberecht

    (University of East Anglia)

  • Paul Thomas

    (University of East Anglia)

  • Aldina Franco

    (University of East Anglia)

  • Matthew J. G. Gage

    (University of East Anglia)

Abstract

Climate change is affecting biodiversity, but proximate drivers remain poorly understood. Here, we examine how experimental heatwaves impact on reproduction in an insect system. Male sensitivity to heat is recognised in endotherms, but ectotherms have received limited attention, despite comprising most of biodiversity and being more influenced by temperature variation. Using a flour beetle model system, we find that heatwave conditions (5 to 7 °C above optimum for 5 days) damaged male, but not female, reproduction. Heatwaves reduce male fertility and sperm competitiveness, and successive heatwaves almost sterilise males. Heatwaves reduce sperm production, viability, and migration through the female. Inseminated sperm in female storage are also damaged by heatwaves. Finally, we discover transgenerational impacts, with reduced reproductive potential and lifespan of offspring when fathered by males, or sperm, that had experienced heatwaves. This male reproductive damage under heatwave conditions provides one potential driver behind biodiversity declines and contractions through global warming.

Suggested Citation

  • Kris Sales & Ramakrishnan Vasudeva & Matthew E. Dickinson & Joanne L. Godwin & Alyson J. Lumley & Łukasz Michalczyk & Laura Hebberecht & Paul Thomas & Aldina Franco & Matthew J. G. Gage, 2018. "Experimental heatwaves compromise sperm function and cause transgenerational damage in a model insect," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 9(1), pages 1-11, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:9:y:2018:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-018-07273-z
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-018-07273-z
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    Cited by:

    1. Hester Weaving & John S. Terblanche & Patrice Pottier & Sinead English, 2022. "Meta-analysis reveals weak but pervasive plasticity in insect thermal limits," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 1-11, December.
    2. Elena Gissi & Londa Schiebinger & Elizabeth A. Hadly & Larry B. Crowder & Rosalia Santoleri & Fiorenza Micheli, 2023. "Exploring climate-induced sex-based differences in aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems to mitigate biodiversity loss," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-6, December.
    3. Přibylová, Lenka & Sen, Deeptajyoti & Eclerová, Veronika, 2024. "Destabilization of a seasonal synchronization in a population model with a seasonally varying Allee effect," Applied Mathematics and Computation, Elsevier, vol. 462(C).

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