Thermal conditions during early life influence seasonal maternal strategies in the three-spined stickleback.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Conditions experienced by a female during early life may affect her reproductive strategies and maternal investment later in life. This effect of early environmental conditions is a potentially important mechanism by which animals can compensate for the negative impacts of climate change. In this study, we experimentally tested whether three-spined sticklebacks (Gasterosteus aculeatus) change their maternal strategy according to environmental temperatures experienced earlier in life. We studied maternal investment from a life-history perspective because females are expected to adjust their reproductive strategy in relation to their current and future reproductive returns as well as offspring fitness.

Results

F1 families were reared in control and elevated winter t

SUBMITTER: Kim SY 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5681783 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature