Periodic and continuous thermal selection of Durusdinium trenchii

We investigated how 1) the selection of a coral photoymbiont under fluctuating temperatures compared to continuous selection under elevated temperatures and 2) the frequency of temperature oscillations influenced adaptation.To this end, we exposed a Durususdinium trenchii culture (SCF086.01) to five temperatures profiles: diurnal fluctuations between an ambient and elevated temperature, fluctuations every 2-3 generations, fluctuations every 4-5 generations, continuous exposure to elevated temperatures and continuous exposure to an ambient temperature. We measured the growth performances of D. trenchii lineages to their respective selection strategies for 2.1 years. After 2.1 years of experimental evolution, we characterised the adaptive responses of the heat-evolved lineages at a range of temperatures (21-31°C) and contrasted these to wild-types. We measured growth rates, oxidative stress, photochemical efficiency, photosynthesis and respiration rates.This dataset contains the data collected during the experimental evolution and thermal performance assay. The experiments and measurements were carried out at the Symbiont Culture Facility at AIMS between 11.11.2020 and 20.04.2023.