Temperature variability differentially alters gene expression of two Caribbean reef-building corals

This study characterized the underlying molecular mechanisms employed by two Caribbean scleractinian coral species following application of a 28-day variable temperature regime with the intent to enhance coral thermal tolerance. Stress-hardening, or assisted acclimatization, has been suggested as a potential application for improving coral thermal tolerance in the face of ocean warming and recurrent marine heatwaves. While several studies have documented the ability for thermal priming to improve coral thermal tolerance, the underlying molecular mechanisms remain unclear. To address this, the authors applied a thermal priming technique and compared gene expression profiles following 3' RNA-Seq from day 0 to day 28 of the variable temperature treatment.