Kang J. L. auteur aut IRD Nagelkerken I. auteur aut IRD Rummer J. L. auteur aut IRD Rodolfo-Metalpa Riccardo auteur aut IRD Munday P. L. auteur aut IRD Ravasi T. auteur aut IRD Schunter C. auteur aut IRD text journalArticle eng text/pdf reformatted digital access Ocean acidification (OA) is postulated to affect the physiology, behavior, and life-history of marine species, but potential for acclimation or adaptation to elevated pCO(2) in wild populations remains largely untested. We measured brain transcriptomes of six coral reef fish species at a natural volcanic CO2 seep and an adjacent control reef in Papua New Guinea. We show that elevated pCO(2) induced common molecular responses related to circadian rhythm and immune system but different magnitudes of molecular response across the six species. Notably, elevated transcriptional plasticity was associated with core circadian genes affecting the regulation of intracellular pH and neural activity in Acanthochromis polyacanthus. Gene expression patterns were reversible in this species as evidenced upon reduction of CO2 following a natural storm-event. Compared with other species, Ac. polyacanthus has a more rapid evolutionary rate and more positively selected genes in key functions under the influence of elevated CO2, thus fueling increased transcriptional plasticity. Our study reveals the basis to variable gene expression changes across species, with some species possessing evolved molecular toolkits to cope with future OA. specialized circadian rhythm climate change elevated pCO(2) intracellular pH neuromolecular response transcriptome PACIFIQUE PAPOUASIE NOUVELLE GUINEE MILNE BAIE PROVINCE UPA UPASINA 034 021 [Early access] [16 p.] 2022 1354-1013 https://www.documentation.ird.fr/hor/fdi:010084398 10.1111/gcb.16119 1354-1013 [F B010084398] https://www.documentation.ird.fr/hor/fdi:010084398 https://horizon.documentation.ird.fr/exl-doc/pleins_textes/2022-04/010084398.pdf IRD - Base Horizon / Pleins textes 2022-04-06 2022-04-06 fdi:010084398 fre