The evolutionary consequences of habitat fragmentation: Body morphology and coloration differentiation among brook trout populations of varying size.

ABSTRACT: A reduction in population size due to habitat fragmentation can alter the relative roles of different evolutionary mechanisms in phenotypic trait differentiation. While deterministic (selection) and stochastic (genetic drift) mechanisms are expected to affect trait evolution, genetic drift may be more important than selection in small populations. We examined relationships between mature adult traits and ecological (abiotic and biotic) variables among 14 populations of brook trout. These naturally fragmented populations have shared ancestry but currently exhibit considerable variability in habitat characteristics and population size (49 < N_c < 10,032; 3 < N_b < 567). Body size, shape, and coloration differed among populations, with a tendency for more var

SUBMITTER: Zastavniouk C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5587476 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature