International Journal of Molecular Ecology and Conservation 2024, Vol.14, No.5, 208-217 http://ecoevopublisher.com/index.php/ijmec 208 Research Insight Open Access Genomic Insights into the Adaptation of Crustaceans to Climate Change Xiaojie Liu, Kai Chen, Jia Xuan Institute of Life Science, Jiyang College of Zhejiang A&F University, Zhuji, 311800, Zhejiang, China Corresponding author: jia.xuan@jicat.org International Journal of Molecular Ecology and Conservation, 2024, Vol.14, No.5 doi: 10.5376/ijmec.2024.14.0022 Received: 25 Jul., 2024 Accepted: 10 Sep., 2024 Published: 20 Sep., 2024 Copyright © 2024 Liu et al., This is an open access article published under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. Preferred citation for this article: Liu X.J., Chen K., and Xuan J., 2024, Genomic insights into the adaptation of crustaceans to climate change, International Journal of Molecular Ecology and Conservation, 14(5): 208-217 (doi: 10.5376/ijmec.2024.14.0022) Abstract This study analyzes the key genomic mechanisms underlying crustacean adaptation to climate change, including the role of heat shock proteins (HSPs) in thermal tolerance, the contribution of ion transport and osmoregulation to salinity adaptation, the adaptive strategies of chitin and calcification pathways in ocean acidification, and the importance of stress response and immune system adaptations. It further explores genomic adaptation studies in model crustacean species, the application of phylogenetic approaches in understanding evolutionary adaptation, and examples of convergent and divergent adaptation strategies. Through a case study on the adaptation of the American lobster (Homarus americanus) to warming waters, this study identifies key genes involved in thermal tolerance and genetic adaptation. By integrating genomic data, this study aims to optimize climate adaptation models and provide a theoretical basis for developing scientific conservation and fisheries management policies. Keywords Crustaceans; Genomic adaptation; Climate change; Evolutionary genomics; Environmental adaptation 1 Introduction Crustaceans are integral to aquatic food webs, serving as both predators and prey. They contribute to nutrient cycling and are vital for the functioning of marine and freshwater ecosystems. The study of crustaceans in the context of climate change is essential due to their sensitivity to environmental changes, such as temperature fluctuations and ocean acidification. These changes can affect their physiology, distribution, and survival, making them excellent indicators of ecosystem health (Kelly et al., 2012). Climate change is causing significant shifts in marine and freshwater ecosystems, impacting biodiversity and ecosystem services. Rising temperatures, ocean acidification, and altered salinity levels are some of the critical stressors affecting these environments. These changes can lead to habitat loss, altered species interactions, and shifts in species distributions, posing a threat to the stability of aquatic ecosystems (Waldvogel et al., 2020; Aguirre-Liguori et al., 2021). Genomic studies provide valuable insights into the adaptive potential of crustaceans facing climate change. By examining genetic variation and identifying genes associated with environmental tolerance, researchers can better understand how crustaceans adapt to changing conditions. Genomic tools, such as single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and transcriptomics, have been instrumental in identifying candidate genes involved in thermal tolerance and other adaptive traits (Tepolt and Palumbi, 2020; Li et al., 2021; Choquet et al., 2023). These studies highlight the importance of genetic diversity and the role of genomic islands of divergence in facilitating rapid adaptation (Cheng et al., 2019). This study attempts to integrate current genomic research on the adaptation of crustaceans to climate change, identifying key genetic mechanisms and adaptation strategies. By summarizing the findings of different studies and comprehensively analyzing the genomic basis of crustacean adaptability, it is expected to emphasize the potential application of genomics research in the formulation of conservation strategies and predict the future response of crustacean populations to sustained environmental changes.
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