Small population size and low genomic diversity have no effect on fitness in experimental translocations of a wild fish.

ABSTRACT: Little empirical work in nature has quantified how wild populations with varying effective population sizes and genetic diversity perform when exposed to a gradient of ecologically important environmental conditions. To achieve this, juvenile brook trout from 12 isolated populations or closed metapopulations that differ substantially in population size and genetic diversity were transplanted to previously fishless ponds spanning a wide gradient of ecologically important variables. We evaluated the effect of genome-wide variation, effective population size (N_e), pond habitat, and initial body size on two fitness correlates (survival and growth). Genetic variables had no effect on either fitness correlate, which was determined primarily by habitat (pond temperature, depth,

SUBMITTER: Yates MC 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6939257 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature