Testing for local adaptation in brown trout using reciprocal transplants.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Local adaptation can drive the divergence of populations but identification of the traits under selection remains a major challenge in evolutionary biology. Reciprocal transplant experiments are ideal tests of local adaptation, yet rarely used for higher vertebrates because of the mobility and potential invasiveness of non-native organisms. Here, we reciprocally transplanted 2500 brown trout (Salmo trutta) embryos from five populations to investigate local adaptation in early life history traits. Embryos were bred in a full-factorial design and raised in natural riverbeds until emergence. Customized egg capsules were used to simulate the natural redd environment and allowed tracking the fate of every individual until retrieval. We predicted that 1) within sites, native p

SUBMITTER: Stelkens RB 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3567948 | biostudies-literature | 2012 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature