Coping with marine heatwaves: Tissue‐specific neuroendocrine and immune adjustments in small‐spotted catsharks

2026/07/26 by Sandra Martins, Rute Felix, Catarina Pereira Santos +2
Environmental Science · Earth and Planetary Sciences · #Physiological and biochemical adaptations #Ocean Acidification Effects and Responses #Marine animal studies overview

paper · doi:10.1111/jfb.70567

Abstract

Abstract Rising ocean temperatures disrupt neuroendocrine–immune interactions in vertebrates. Neuroendocrine gene expression in the liver, spleen, intestine, blood cells and epigonal organ was examined in small‐spotted catsharks ( Scyliorhinus canicula ) exposed to a 30‐day simulated marine heatwave. Correlations among neuroendocrine genes, immune‐ and iron‐related genes, plasma biochemistry and leukocyte assays revealed tissue‐specific expression patterns, reduced inter‐individual variability and coordinated transcriptional modulation across tissues. Overall, catsharks exhibited integrated adjustments to thermal stress, most likely to balance metabolic demands with immune resilience.

Citations

• Immunological resilience of a temperate catshark to a simulated marine heatwave

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