The future marine environment is a challenge to survive with the rising sea surface temperature. In this scenario, phenotypic plasticity is one of the mechanisms which help marine organisms to cope with the changing environment. Here, we examine the role of phenotypic plasticity through analysing environmental predictability, within generational plasticity (WGP) and transgenerational plasticity (TGP) using Dictyota dichotoma as a model organism. Analysis of time series data on SST revealed that the environment of the parental generation of Dictyota dichotoma is predictable enough to transfer the environment variables to offspring. The significant reduction in the growth rate of the strains at 25 °C, suggesting the change of phenotypes in the stressed environment by altering resource allocation which would be beneficial for Dictyota dichotoma to cope with the future elevated summer temperature. Though the TGP experiment was unsucceeded, it reveals the negative impact on the fertility of Dictyota dichotoma by ocean warming. Taken together, we suggest future studies on the role of phenotypic plasticity in response to climate change not only related to SST but also for other environmental factors and organisms.
Keywords: Within generational plasticity, transgenerational plasticity, ocean warming, environmental predictability, Dictyota dichotoma
