Phenotypic and molecular responses of copepods to UV radiation stress in a clear versus a glacially turbid lake

1. Zooplankton are exposed to multiple environmental stressors in alpine lakes. However, phenotypic and molecular responses of copepods to different environmental conditions, including ultraviolet radiation (UVR), are still not fully understood. Here, we tested whether gene expression patterns vary within the same species, Cyclops abyssorum tatricus, but in populations from different environments (a clear vs. a glacially turbid lake) when exposed to UVR. Moreover, we wanted to examine potential seasonal variation (summer vs. autumn) in copepod gene expression. 2. We measured photoprotective compounds (mycosporine‐like amino acids and carotenoids) and antioxidant capacities in two copepod populations and studied gene expression of heat shock proteins (hsps) as indicator of stress after UVR exposure in the laboratory. 3. Compared with the copepod population from the clear lake, the population from the turbid lake showed lower mycosporine‐like amino acid, but higher carotenoid concentrations that decreased over the season. Antioxidant capacities (both lipophilic and hydrophilic) were higher in autumn than in summer. The hsp60 and hsp90 genes were constitutively expressed, regardless of habitat origin and season, while hsp70 was upregulated after exposure to UVR (up to 2.8‐fold change). We observed stronger upregulation of hsp70 gene expression in autumn for the turbid and summer for the clear lake, with highest gene expression 24 hr post‐UVR exposure (up to 10.2‐fold change in the turbid and 3.9‐fold in the clear lake). 4. We show how variation in phenotypic traits modulates hsp gene expression patterns, specifically hsp70 gene expression. Rapidly induced defences against cellular stress may improve survival in harsh environments such as alpine lakes, especially since these sensitive ecosystems may experience further changes in the future.