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Comparing observed versus theoretically expected evolutionary responses is important for our understanding of the evolutionary process, and for assessing how species may cope with anthropogenic change. Here, we document directional selection for larger female size in Atlantic salmon, using pedigree-derived estimates of lifetime reproductive success as a fitness measure. We show the trait is heritable and, thus, capable of responding to selection. The Breeder's Equation, which predicts microevolution as the product of phenotypic selection and heritability, predicted evolution of larger size. This was at odds, however, with the observed lack of either phenotypic or genetic temporal trends in body size, a so-called "paradox of stasis." To investigate this paradox, we estimated the additive genetic covariance between trait and fitness, which provides a prediction of evolutionary change according to Robertson's secondary theorem of selection (STS) that is unbiased by missing variables. The STS prediction was consistent with the observed stasis. Decomposition of phenotypic selection gradients into genetic and environmental components revealed a potential upward bias, implying unmeasured factors that covary with trait and fitness. These results showcase the power of pedigreed, wild population studies-which have largely been limited to birds and mammals-to study evolutionary processes on contemporary timescales.

Thermal performance curves (TPCs), which quantify how an ectotherm's body temperature (T-b) affects its performance or fitness, are often used in an attempt to predict organismal responses to climate change. Here, we examine the key - but often biologically unreasonable - assumptions underlying this approach; for example, that physiology and thermal regimes are invariant over ontogeny, space and time, and also that TPCs are independent of previously experienced T-b. We show how a critical consideration of these assumptions can lead to biologically useful hypotheses and experimental designs. For example, rather than assuming that TPCs are fixed during ontogeny, one can measure TPCs for each major life stage and incorporate these into stage-specific ecological models to reveal the life stage most likely to be vulnerable to climate change. Our overall goal is to explicitly examine the assumptions underlying the integration of TPCs with T-b, to develop a framework within which empiricists can place their work within these limitations, and to facilitate the application of thermal physiology to understanding the biological implications of climate change.

Elucidating the genetic basis of adaptation to the local environment can improve our understanding of how the diversity of life has evolved. In this study, we used a dense SNP array to identify candidate loci potentially underlying fine-scale local adaptation within a large Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) population. By combining outlier, gene-environment association and haplotype homozygosity analyses, we identified multiple regions of the genome with strong evidence for diversifying selection. Several of these candidate regions had previously been identified in other studies, demonstrating that the same loci could be adaptively important in Atlantic salmon at subdrainage, regional and continental scales. Notably, we identified signals consistent with local selection around genes associated with variation in sexual maturation, energy homeostasis and immune defence. These included the large-effect age-at-maturity gene vgll3, the known obesity gene mc4r, and major histocompatibility complex II. Most strikingly, we confirmed a genomic region on Ssa09 that was extremely differentiated among subpopulations and that is also a candidate for local selection over the global range of Atlantic salmon. This region colocalized with a haplotype strongly associated with spawning ecotype in sockeye salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka), with circumstantial evidence that the same gene (six6) may be the selective target in both cases. The phenotypic effect of this region in Atlantic salmon remains cryptic, although allelic variation is related to upstream catchment area and covaries with timing of the return spawning migration. Our results further inform management of Atlantic salmon and open multiple avenues for future research.

WOS:000423325000014; International audience; Thermal preference and tolerance of juvenile Anisotremus scapularis (Pisces: Haemulidae) at different acclimation temperatures (14, 17 and 22 degrees C) were evaluated in order to estimate the optimum temperature and the thermal tolerance limits of this species. The preference was determined through acute preferred temperature. Maximum critical temperature and mean lethal temperature allowed to estimate thermal tolerance. The results show that acclimation temperatures higher than 14 degrees C increase both thermal preference and tolerance. However, individuals acclimatized to 22 degrees C preferred temperatures lower than their acclimation. In addition, thermal tolerance was identical between individuals acclimatized at 17 degrees C and 22 degrees C. The optimum temperature of juvenile A. scapularis was 18.7 +/- 2 degrees C and its upper and lower tolerance limit was 32.6 and 10.1 degrees C, respectively. Based on the results, we concluded that a temperature of 18.7 +/- 2 degrees C would optimize the physiological processes in juvenile A. scapularis and that temperature higher than 32.6 degrees C and lower than 10.1 degrees C would cause the immediate death of the organism.; Se evaluó la preferencia y tolerancia térmica de juveniles de Anisotremus scapularis (Pisces: Haemulidae) a diferentestemperaturas de aclimatación (14, 17 y 22°C) con el fin de estimar la temperatura óptima y los límites térmicos de tolerancia deesta especie. La preferencia fue determinada mediante el método de temperatura preferida aguda. La tolerancia fue estimadamediante la temperatura crítica máxima y la temperatura letal media. Los resultados muestran que temperaturas de aclimataciónmayores a 14°C incrementan la preferencia y tolerancia térmica de la especie. Sin embargo, individuos aclimatados a 22°Cprefieren temperaturas menores a su aclimatación y limitan su tolerancia con respecto a los individuos aclimatados a 17°C. Latemperatura óptima estimada para juveniles de A. scapularis fue de 18,7 ± 2°C y su límite térmico superior e inferior de toleranciafue de 32,6 y 10,1°C, respectivamente. En base a los resultados se concluye que una temperatura de 18,7 ± 2°C optimizaría losprocesos fisiológicos en juveniles de A. scapularis, y que temperaturas mayores a 32,6°C y menores a 10,1°C ocasionarían lamuerte inmediata del organismo

Thermal preference and tolerance of juvenile Anisotremus scapularis (Pisces: Haemulidae) at different acclimation temperatures (14, 17 and 22°C) were evaluated in order to estimate the optimum temperature and the thermal tolerance limits of this species. The preference was determined through acute preferred temperature. Maximum critical temperature and mean lethal temperature allowed to estimate thermal tolerance. The results show that acclimation temperatures higher than 14°C increase both thermal preference and tolerance. However, individuals acclimatized to 22°C preferred temperatures lower than their acclimation. In addition, thermal tolerance was identical between individuals acclimatized at 17°C and 22°C. The optimum temperature of juvenile A. scapularis was 18.7 ± 2°C and its upper and lower tolerance limit was 32.6 and 10.1°C, respectively. Based on the results, we concluded that a temperature of 18.7 ± 2°C would optimize the physiological processes in juvenile A. scapularis and that temperature higher than 32.6°C and lower than 10.1°C would cause the immediate death of the organism., Se evaluó la preferencia y tolerancia térmica de juveniles de Anisotremus scapularis (Pisces: Haemulidae) a diferentes temperaturas de aclimatación (14, 17 y 22°C) con el fin de estimar la temperatura óptima y los límites térmicos de tolerancia de esta especie. La preferencia fue determinada mediante el método de temperatura preferida aguda. La tolerancia fue estimada mediante la temperatura crítica máxima y la temperatura letal media. Los resultados muestran que temperaturas de aclimatación mayores a 14°C incrementan la preferencia y tolerancia térmica de la especie. Sin embargo, individuos aclimatados a 22°C prefieren temperaturas menores a su aclimatación y limitan su tolerancia con respecto a los individuos aclimatados a 17°C. La temperatura óptima estimada para juveniles de A. scapularis fue de 18,7 ± 2°C y su límite térmico superior e inferior de tolerancia fue de 32,6 y 10,1°C, respectivamente. En base a los resultados se concluye que una temperatura de 18,7 ± 2°C optimizaría los procesos fisiológicos en juveniles de A. scapularis, y que temperaturas mayores a 32,6°C y menores a 10,1°C ocasionarían la muerte inmediata del organismo.

The effect of climate warming on the reproductive success of ectothermic animals is currently a subject of major conservation concern. However, for many threatened species, we still know surprisingly little about the extent of naturally occurring adaptive variation in heat-tolerance. Here, we show that the thermal tolerances of green turtle ( Chelonia mydas ) embryos in a single, island-breeding population have diverged in response to the contrasting incubation temperatures of nesting beaches just a few kilometres apart. In natural nests and in a common-garden rearing experiment, the offspring of females nesting on a naturally hot (black sand) beach survived better and grew larger at hot incubation temperatures compared with the offspring of females nesting on a cooler (pale sand) beach nearby. These differences were owing to shallower thermal reaction norms in the hot beach population, rather than shifts in thermal optima, and could not be explained by egg-mediated maternal effects. Our results suggest that marine turtle nesting behaviour can drive adaptive differentiation at remarkably fine spatial scales, and have important implications for how we define conservation units for protection. In particular, previous studies may have underestimated the extent of adaptive structuring in marine turtle populations that may significantly affect their capacity to respond to environmental change.

Predation has an important influence on life history traits in many organisms, especially when they are young. When cues of trout were present, juvenile sticklebacks grew faster. The increase in body size as a result of exposure to cues of predators was adaptive because larger individuals were more likely to survive predation. However, sticklebacks that had been exposed to cues of predators were smaller at adulthood. This result is consistent with some life history theory. However, these results prompt an alternative hypothesis, which is that the decreased size at adulthood reflects a deferred cost of early rapid growth. Compared to males, females were more likely to survive predation, but female size at adulthood was more affected by cues of predators than male size at adulthood, suggesting that size at adulthood might be more important to male fitness than to female fitness.

cited By 4; International audience; Understanding dispersal capacities for migratory species is crucial for their management. By coupling otolith microchemistry and microsatellite genetic analyses, we provided information on snapshot and long-term dispersal capacity of Allis shad (Alosa alosa), an anadromous clupeid in decline throughout its distribution range. The allocation of natal origin was obtained from water chemistry and signatures in otoliths of juveniles and spawners within a Bayesian model. The majority of adults were assigned to a source river with high degrees of confidence; only 4% were undetermined. Otolith natal origins were used to define a population baseline by grouping individuals from the same natal river and not from the same sampling location as usually done. While A. alosa exhibited a high level of natal site fidelity, this species showed weak genetic structure, which supported the evidence of a substantial flow of strayers between river basins in the vicinity or at longer distances. However, long distance straying was probable but not frequent. In a context of global change, straying would be a key mechanism to drive dispersal and allow resilience of Allis shad populations.

We use a game-theoretic framework to investigate the reproductive phenology of female kokanee (Oncorhynchus nerka). As in the other semelparous species of Pacific salmon, females construct nests in gravel, spawn with males, bury their fertilized eggs, and defend their nest sites until they die several days later. Later-breeding females may reuse previous nest sites, and their digging behavior is thought to subject previously buried eggs to mortality. Using game-theoretic models, we show that females can reduce this risk by allocating resources to longevity (the period between arrival and death) as opposed to eggs. Waiting before territory settlement is also expected if it allows females to conserve energy and delay senescence. The models demonstrate how these costs and benefits interact to select for a seasonal decline in longevity, a well-known phenomenon in the salmonid literature, and a seasonal decline in wait duration. Both of these predictions were supported in a field study of kokanee. Female state of reproductive maturity was the most important proximate factor causing variation in longevity and wait duration. With more than 30% of territories being reused, dig-up is likely an important selective force in this population.

We have generated a unique resource consisting of nearly 175 000 short contig sequences and 3569 SNP markers from the widely cultured GIFT (Genetically Improved Farmed Tilapia) strain of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus). In total, 384 SNPs were selected to monitor the wider applicability of the SNPs by genotyping tilapia individuals from different strains and different geographical locations. In all strains and species tested (O. niloticus, O. aureus and O. mossambicus), the genotyping assay was working for a similar number of SNPs (288-305 SNPs). The actual number of polymorphic SNPs was, as expected, highest for individuals from the GIFT population (255 SNPs). In the individuals from an Egyptian strain and in individuals caught in the wild in the basin of the river Volta, 197 and 163 SNPs were polymorphic, respectively. A pairwise calculation of Nei's genetic distance allowed the discrimination of the individual strains and species based on the genotypes determined with the SNP set. We expect that this set will be widely applicable for use in tilapia aquaculture, e.g. for pedigree reconstruction. In addition, this set is currently used for assaying the genetic diversity of native Nile tilapia in areas where tilapia is, or will be, introduced in aquaculture projects. This allows the tracing of escapees from aquaculture and the monitoring of effects of introgression and hybridization.

Predation has an important influence on life history traits in many organisms, especially when they are young. When cues of trout were present, juvenile sticklebacks grew faster. The increase in body size as a result of exposure to cues of predators was adaptive because larger individuals were more likely to survive predation. However, sticklebacks that had been exposed to cues of predators were smaller at adulthood. This result is consistent with some life history theory. However, these results prompt an alternative hypothesis, which is that the decreased size at adulthood reflects a deferred cost of early rapid growth. Compared to males, females were more likely to survive predation, but female size at adulthood was more affected by cues of predators than male size at adulthood, suggesting that size at adulthood might be more important to male fitness than to female fitness.