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Dryad

Rate and capacity of acclimation of temperature tolerance in ectothermic animals

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Dec 03, 2024 version files 561.71 KB

Abstract

Organisms experience environments that change by different amounts and at different rates throughout their lives. Phenotypic plasticity helps organisms respond to such change because it can facilitate a ‘match’ between the phenotype of the individual and the phenotype that is optimal in its present environment. Here we evaluate the ability of organisms to match both the amplitude and tempo of environmental fluctuations by asking whether a relationship exists between the capacity and rate of phenotypic plasticity, and if so, in what direction? We re-analyze published data from experiments documenting the temporal dynamics of acclimation in thermal tolerance to temperature change. Across species of reptiles, amphibians, fish, insects and crustaceans, we find that the rate and the capacity with which thermal tolerance can respond plastically to temperature change is negatively correlated. In other words, when plastic adjustment of the phenotype is large, the rate at which that adjustment can be realized is slow.. Our results indicate that if changes in the environment occur rapidly and are large in magnitude, an example being the extremes in weather brought about by climate change, it may be difficult for organisms to evolve plasticity that is rapid enough and of sufficient capacity to counteract them.