Redescription and Transcriptomic Insights into Anthopleura nigrescens
Anthopleura nigrescens (Verrill, 1928) is a common intertidal sea anemone that inhabits rocky crevices throughout the West Pacific. This study identified populations from both shallow-water hydrothermal vent regions and adjacent intertidal, non-venting areas in Taiwan, as well as from other regions across the Indo-West Pacific, using an integrative approach. Transcriptomic comparisons revealed distinct molecular responses to the extreme vent environment, including differential regulation of genes associated with stress response, detoxification, and cellular homeostasis. These findings demonstrate pronounced intra-specific divergence and highlight adaptive gene expression strategies among Anthopleura populations. The results provide an updated description of this species and new insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying thermal and chemical stress tolerance in vent-associated cnidarians, contributing to a broader understanding of how marine invertebrates persist and adapt in rapidly changing environments.
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