Temporal variation in selection on body length and date of return in a wild population of coho salmon, Oncorhynchus kisutch.

ABSTRACT:

Background

A number of studies have measured selection in nature to understand how populations adapt to their environment; however, the temporal dynamics of selection are rarely investigated. The aim of this study was to assess the temporal variation in selection by comparing the mode, direction and strength of selection on fitness-related traits between two cohorts of coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch). Specifically, we quantified individual reproductive success and examined selection on date of return and body length in a wild population at Big Beef Creek, Washington (USA).

Results

Reproductive success and the mode, direction and strength of selection on date of return and body length differed between two cohorts sampled in 2006 and 2007. Adults of the first brood year had

SUBMITTER: Kodama M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3482603 | biostudies-literature | 2012 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature