Transgenerational effects of heatwave exposure on fertility in Drosophila melanogaster.

Abstract

Anthropogenically driven climate change is increasing the frequency and magnitude of heatwaves. Parratt et al. (2021) demonstrated across 43 Drosophila species that heat often sterilises individuals before it kills them. Consequently, sterility better match current species ranges and are superior predictors of population extinction and decline. While the immediate impacts of heatwaves on fertility are well studied, the transgenerational consequences of paternal exposure and their influence on offspring resilience, remain largely unknown.