Effects of resource level and habitat type on behavioral and morphological plasticity in Eurasian perch |
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Authors: | Jens Olsson Richard Svanbäck Peter Eklöv |
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Institution: | (1) Limnology/Department of Ecology and Evolution, Evolutionary Biology Centre, Uppsala University, Norbyv. 20, 752 36 Uppsala, Sweden |
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Abstract: | Spatial and temporal heterogeneity in the environment is a common feature affecting many natural populations. For example,
both the resource levels and optimal habitat choices of individuals likely change over time. One way for organisms to cope
with environmental variation is to display adaptive plasticity in traits such as behavior and morphology. Since trait plasticity
is hypothesized to be a prerequisite for character divergence, studies of mechanisms behind such plasticity are warranted.
In this study, we looked at the interaction of two potentially important environmental variables on behavioral and morphological
plasticity in Eurasian perch (Perca fluviatilis L.). More specifically, the plastic responses in activity and morphology of perch exposed to different resource levels and
simulated habitat types were studied in an aquarium experiment. The resource level experienced had a large influence on plasticity
in both activity and morphology. Behavioral adaptations have been thought to mediate morphological transitions, and we suggest
that the morphological response to the resource level was mediated by differences in activity and growth rates. The habitat
type also affected morphological plasticity but to a lesser extent, and there was no effect on activity from habitat type.
Based on these results, we suggest that it is essential to include several environmental factors acting in concert when studying
mechanisms behind trait plasticity. We also propose that variation in resource levels might play a key role in fostering trait
plasticity in at least fish populations, while other environmental variables such as divergent habitat complexities and prey
types might be less influential. Dynamics in resource levels and optimal habitat choices might thus be important factors influencing
character divergence in natural populations. |
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Keywords: | Activity Growth rate Morphometric analyses Morphological variation Resource polymorphism |
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