Researchers Kaja Skjærven, Maud Alix, Lene Kleppe, and Olav Kjesbu investigated the effect of increased water temperature on cod offspring.
Photo: Norwegian Institute of Marine Research
Researchers from Norway's Institute of Marine Research have found that cod may be able to adapt to climate change across generations.
Researchers Kaja Skjærven, Maud Alix, Lene Kleppe, and Olav Kjesbu, found that the environmental temperature experienced by female cod prior to spawning affects the development of their offspring.
The so-called "programming" of the cod offspring appears to change with differences in water temperatures, becoming more pronounced as temperatures rise, the researchers found. This involves alterations in the genetic instructions (mRNA) from mother to embryo that dictate the development of tissues, organs, and growth.
"Our results suggest that the environment the adult fish lives in is crucial for the genetic instructions that govern how the offspring should develop. If the environment changes, the instructions also change," said lead researcher Olav Kjesbu.
The study, which observed cod in varying temperatures, noted significant changes in the genetic instructions in warmer conditions, indicating a potential for cod to adapt their offspring to changing environmental conditions.
However, the researchers also caution that this adaptability might have its limits if temperatures rise too high.
This research provides valuable insights into how marine species like cod could respond to global climate change, emphasizing the importance of the mother's environment on the next generation's development.
The findings were published in the ICES Journal of Marine Science in 2024.