Spatial variation in growth, maturation schedules and reproductive investment of female sole Solea solea in the Northeast Atlantic

Mollet, F.M., Engelhard, G.H., Vainikka, A., Laugen, A.T., Rijnsdorp, A.D., & Ernande, B. (2013). Spatial variation in growth, maturation schedules and reproductive investment of female sole Solea solea in the Northeast Atlantic. Journal of Sea Research 84 109-121. 10.1016/j.seares.2012.12.005.

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Abstract

Latitudinal variation in life-history traits is often explained by phenotypically plastic responses or local adaptations to different thermal regimes. We compared growth, maturation schedules and reproductive investment of female sole Solea solea between 8 populations, covering much of the species' distribution in northern Europe, with respect to thermal gradients. An energy allocation model was fitted to size-age data, and probabilistic maturation reaction norms were estimated from size-age-maturity data. We found that northern populations from colder environments had higher rates of energy acquisition and reproductive investment, an intrinsic tendency to mature earlier, and had smaller asymptotic sizes than southern populations from warmer environments. Consequently, growth rate was higher before maturation but lower after maturation in the north compared to the south. This is opposite to Bergmann's rule according to which slower growth, delayed maturation and larger asymptotic sizes are usually observed at lower temperatures. The observed patterns could indicate strong countergradient thermal adaptation for rapid growth and development as well as sustained fecundity in the north, or indicate a response to other selection pressures correlated with the thermal gradient. Potentially higher mortality in northern populations during cold winters might be one of the key drivers of the observed geographical variation in growth and maturation of sole.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Countergradient variation; Phenotypic plasticity; Growth; Maturation reaction norm; Temperature; Mortality-induced evolution
Research Programs:	Evolution and Ecology (EEP)
Depositing User:	IIASA Import
Date Deposited:	15 Jan 2016 08:49
Last Modified:	27 Aug 2021 17:39
URI:	https://pure.iiasa.ac.at/10500

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