Impaired reproduction, energy reserves and dysbiosis: The overlooked consequences of heatwaves in a bivalve mollusc

Abstract

Extreme events like Marine Heatwaves (MHWs) are becoming more intense, severe, and frequent, threatening benthic communities, specifically bivalves. However, the consequences of non-lethal MHWs on animals are still poorly understood. Here, we exposed the Manila clam Ruditapes philippinarum to non-lethal MHW for 30 days and provided an integrative view of its effects. Our result indicated that albeit non-lethal, MHW reduced clam's energy reserves (by reducing their hepato-somatic index), triggered antioxidant defenses (particularly in males), impaired reproduction (via the production of smaller oocytes in females), triggered dysbiosis in the digestive gland microbiota and altered animals' behaviour (by impacting their burying capacity) and filtration rate. Such effects were seen also at RNA-seq (i.e. many down-regulated genes belonged to reproduction) and metabolome level. Interestingly, negative effects were more pronounced in males than in females. Our results show that MHWs influence animal physiology at multiple levels, likely impacting its fitness and its ecosystem services.

Keywords: Ecophysiology; Marine heatwaves; Metabolomics; Microbiota; Reproduction; Transcriptomics.