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Reproductive timing as a driver of intrapopulation trait diversity in Perch (Perca fluviatilis)
Linnaeus University, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Department of Biology and Environmental Science. (Petter Tibblin/Anders Forsman)
2020 (English)Independent thesis Advanced level (degree of Master (Two Years)), 20 credits / 30 HE creditsStudent thesis
Abstract [en]

Many populations show a large degree of variation in reproductive timing among its individuals, resulting in their offspring being introduced into a variety of seasonally dependent environmental conditions. These conditions may influence adaptive gene and trait variation within and among populations, but we know very little about whether, when, and how differences in reproductive timing lead to distinct subpopulations and temporal local adaptations within a population and reproductive season. I used a combination of field observations and laboratory studies on anadromous perch (Perca fluviatilis) to examine how reproductive time and individual differences in reproductive timing is related to environmental conditions that influence offspring survival (water temperature, zooplankton abundance, and predator presence (sticklebacks)). Moreover, I evaluated whether individual differences in reproductive timing had led to seasonally dependent temperature adaptations in eggs (hatching success) and early juvenile stages (juvenile size). My results showed that the spawning season extended over 58 days (22 April – 19 June 2019), with a distinct peak in spawning activity in late May/early June. This peak coincided with a distinct increase in zooplankton abundance in the stream, and an immigration of sticklebacks into the spawning area of perch. The hatching success of perch that spawned in either the early or mid-portion of the spawning period decreased with an increase in temperature. In contrast, the hatching success of late spawning perch generally increased with increasing temperatures. These results suggest an adaptive difference in temperature optima between perch that spawn late in the reproductive season (in 18-21 ˚C) and perch that spawn in the early-mid portion of the season (in 10-18 ˚C). Furthermore, I also found a seasonal pattern in the size of juveniles, with larger juveniles hatching in the early-mid portion of the spawning season, driven by a seasonal aggregation of large perch that overall produced larger juveniles. In summary, this study highlight how seasonally dependent trait variation can emerge within populations that have an extended reproductive period. Furthermore, the aggregation of large perch in time indicate that seasonally sorted phenotypes, if consistent, could contribute to an increased trait diversity in the next generation. These findings showcase how individual variation in reproductive time can contribute to an increase in intrapopulation trait diversity, and thereby promote population persistence/viability.

Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
2020. , p. 36
National Category
Ecology
Identifiers
URN: urn:nbn:se:lnu:diva-93695OAI: oai:DiVA.org:lnu-93695DiVA, id: diva2:1426062
Educational program
Akvatisk ekologi, masterprogram, 120 credits
Supervisors
Examiners
Available from: 2020-05-04 Created: 2020-04-23 Last updated: 2020-05-04Bibliographically approved

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CiteExportLink to record
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Citation style
  • apa
  • ieee
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