A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal
Size-selective harvesting fosters adaptations in mating behaviour and reproductive allocation, affecting sexual selection in fish
Authors: Valerio Sbragaglia, Catalina Gliese, David Bierbach, Andrew E. Honsey, Silva Uusi‐Heikkilä, Robert Arlinghau
Publisher: Blackwell Publishing Ltd
Publication year: 2019
Journal: Journal of Animal Ecology
Journal name in source: Journal of Animal Ecology
Volume: 88
Issue: 9
First page : 1343
Last page: 1354
ISSN: 0021-8790
eISSN: 1365-2656
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/1365-2656.13032
Abstract
1. The role of sexual selection in the context of harvest‐induced evolution is poorly
understood. However, elevated and trait‐selective harvesting of wild populations
may change sexually selected traits, which in turn can affect mate choice and
reproduction.
2. We experimentally evaluated the potential for fisheries‐induced evolution of mating
behaviour and reproductive allocation in fish.
3. We used an experimental system of zebrafish (Danio rerio) lines exposed to large,
small or random (i.e. control) size‐selective mortality. The large‐harvested line represented
a treatment simulating the typical case in fisheries where the largest individuals
are preferentially harvested. We used a full factorial design of spawning
trials with size‐matched individuals to control for the systematic impact of body
size during reproduction, thereby singling out possible changes in mating behaviour
and reproductive allocation.
4. Both small size‐selective mortality and large size‐selective mortality left a legacy
on male mating behaviour by elevating intersexual aggression. However, there
was no evidence for line‐assortative reproductive allocation. Females of all lines
preferentially allocated eggs to the generally less aggressive males of the random‐
harvested control line. Females of the large‐harvested line showed enhanced
reproductive performance, and males of the large‐harvested line had the highest
egg fertilization rate among all males. These findings can be explained as an
evolutionary adaptation by which individuals of the large‐harvested line display
an enhanced reproductive performance early in life to offset the increased probability
of adult mortality due to harvest.
1. The role of sexual selection in the context of harvest‐induced evolution is poorly
understood. However, elevated and trait‐selective harvesting of wild populations
may change sexually selected traits, which in turn can affect mate choice and
reproduction.
2. We experimentally evaluated the potential for fisheries‐induced evolution of mating
behaviour and reproductive allocation in fish.
3. We used an experimental system of zebrafish (Danio rerio) lines exposed to large,
small or random (i.e. control) size‐selective mortality. The large‐harvested line represented
a treatment simulating the typical case in fisheries where the largest individuals
are preferentially harvested. We used a full factorial design of spawning
trials with size‐matched individuals to control for the systematic impact of body
size during reproduction, thereby singling out possible changes in mating behaviour
and reproductive allocation.
4. Both small size‐selective mortality and large size‐selective mortality left a legacy
on male mating behaviour by elevating intersexual aggression. However, there
was no evidence for line‐assortative reproductive allocation. Females of all lines
preferentially allocated eggs to the generally less aggressive males of the random‐
harvested control line. Females of the large‐harvested line showed enhanced
reproductive performance, and males of the large‐harvested line had the highest
egg fertilization rate among all males. These findings can be explained as an
evolutionary adaptation by which individuals of the large‐harvested line display
an enhanced reproductive performance early in life to offset the increased probability
of adult mortality due to harvest.
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