Plasticity in probabilistic reaction norms for maturation in a salmonid fish |
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Authors: | Kentaro Morita Jun-ichi Tsuboi Toru Nagasawa |
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Institution: | 1.Hokkaido National Fisheries Research Institute, Fisheries Research Agency, Kushiro 085-0802, Japan;2.Yamanashi Fisheries Technology Center, Yamanashi 400-0121, Japan;3.National Salmon Resources Center, Fisheries Research Agency, Sapporo 062-0922, Japan |
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Abstract: | The relationship between body size and the probability of maturing, often referred to as the probabilistic maturation reaction norm (PMRN), has been increasingly used to infer genetic variation in maturation schedule. Despite this trend, few studies have directly evaluated plasticity in the PMRN. A transplant experiment using white-spotted charr demonstrated that the PMRN for precocious males exhibited plasticity. A smaller threshold size at maturity occurred in charr inhabiting narrow streams where more refuges are probably available for small charr, which in turn might enhance the reproductive success of sneaker precocious males. Our findings suggested that plastic effects should clearly be included in investigations of variation in PMRNs. |
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Keywords: | mature male parr phenotypic plasticity threshold probabilistic reaction norm |
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