UVM researchers learn how tiny ocean crustacean adapts to climate change

BURLINGTON, Vt. (WCAX) - New University of Vermont research is uncovering new secrets about how tiny crustaceans critical to the ocean ecosystem are surviving amid climate change.

Copepods are at the heart of the ocean food web. UVM researchers discovered that in addition to genetic changes from permanent DNA alterations, they also use epigenetic changes to adapt to the changing climate. Those are temporary modifications to parts of DNA.

UVM’s Melissa Pespeni says the two-pronged approach could lead to better long-term resilience. “The epigenetics is kind of a fast response mechanism. And that allows them to kind of cope while the genetic change can kind of catch up. So, it means it’s critical for fast change, and it means there’s an extra set of tools they can use,” she said.

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