Does the egg capsule protect against chronic UV-B radiation? A study based on encapsulated and decapsulated embryos of cuttlefish Sepia officinalis

Although the egg capsule plays a crucial role in the embryonic development of cephalopods, its ability to protect embryos from Ultraviolet (UV) radiation is unknown. Our study evaluated the photoprotection mechanisms of Sepia officinalis to UV-B radiation and estimated the ability of the black capsule to act as a physical shield against it. Embryos with (BC) and without capsule (WC) and juveniles were exposed to four experimental UVB conditions for 55 days. The effects of different UVB doses were evaluated in terms of morphological abnormalities and differences in gene expression between each group. We observed that the development might be severely impaired in embryos exposed to UVB without capsule protection and these effects were time- and UVB-dose-dependent. In addition, we found variations in gene expression levels (light-sensitive, stress response, and DNA repair) in different tissues as a function of UVB doses. We suggest a relationship between morphological abnormalities and the..., , The present data are raw data obtained by digital PCR (in copies/microL). The data are classified by tissues and are presented for each treatment and treatment duration.Â