A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal

Altered trait variability in response to size-selective mortality




AuthorsUusi-Heikkila S, Lindstrom K, Parre N, Arlinghaus R, Alos J, Kuparinen A

PublisherROYAL SOC

Publication year2016

JournalBiology Letters

Journal name in sourceBIOLOGY LETTERS

Journal acronymBIOL LETTERS

Article numberARTN 20160584

Volume12

Issue9

Number of pages5

ISSN1744-9561

DOIhttps://doi.org/10.1098/rsbl.2016.0584(external)


Abstract
Changes in trait variability owing to size-selective harvesting have received little attention in comparison with changes in mean trait values, perhaps because of the expectation that phenotypic variability should generally be eroded by directional selection typical for fishing and hunting. We show, however, that directional selection, in particular for large body size, leads to increased body-size variation in experimentally harvested zebrafish (Danio rerio) populations exposed to two alternative feeding environments: ad libitum and temporarily restricted food availability. Trait variation may influence population adaptivity, stability and resilience. Therefore, rather than exerting selection pressures that favour small individuals, our results stress the importance of protecting large ones, as they can harbour a great amount of variation within a population, to manage fish stocks sustainably.



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