Phenotypic plasticity in courtship exposed to selection in a human-disturbed environment.

ABSTRACT: When environments change rapidly, evolutionary processes may be too slow to rescue populations from decline. Persistence then hinges on plastic adjustments of critical traits to the altered conditions. However, the degree to which species harbour the necessary plasticity and the degree to which the plasticity is exposed to selection in human-disturbed environments are poorly known. We show that a population of the threespine stickleback (Gasterosteus aculeatus) harbours variation in plasticity in male courtship behaviour, which is exposed to selection when visibility deteriorates because of enhanced algal growth. Females in clear water show no preference for plastic males, while females in algal-rich, turbid water switch their mate preference towards males with adaptive plasticity.

SUBMITTER: Candolin U 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8549619 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature