Maternal temperature stress modulates acclimation and thermal biology in Octopus maya (Cephalopoda: Octopodidae) juvenile progeny

Abstract High temperatures alter the physiological condition of Octopus maya embryos, juveniles, and adults, and the time of exposure could have a key role in their thermal tolerance. The present study evaluates the effects of temperature and exposure time on octopus juveniles obtained from thermal-stressed and non-stressed females when exposed to optimal (25°C) and high temperatures (30°C) for 20 and 30 days, respectively. The results showed a transgenerational temperature effect that was expressed with low survival, depressed routine resting and high metabolic rates. Moreover, a collapse of antioxidant defense enzymes and high radical oxygen species (ROS) levels were detected in juveniles from thermally stressed females. Stress was lethal for animals acclimated at 30°C, while the performance of juveniles acclimated at optimal temperature (25°C) was conditioned by high ROS and low high metabolic rate (HMR) levels even after 30 days of experiment. In contrast, juveniles from non-thermally stressed females had an optimal performance when acclimated at 25°C but at 30°C, they had a comparatively higher HMR during the first eight days. These results suggest energy surplus in those animals to escape from warming scenarios before experiencing ROS accumulation. Further studies should confirm if epigenetic alterations could be involved.