Plasticity of Life History Traits: Arctic Charr as a Paradigm

点击翻译按钮获取中文摘要

Due to the disparate nature of environmental conditions in oceanic and freshwater systems, the characteristics of these environments strongly influence total population structure of species with plastic life history patterns. To conduct meaningful research on these processes, it is essential to identify which life history stages and/or environmental events are significant. The Arctic charr (Salvelinus alpinus L.) is characterized by a variety of morphological types. These morphs appear to be reflect differences in environmental conditions. This project will investigate the relationships between morph, growth and environmental history. This research will apply novel analytic techniques to evaluate the periods in the life history of the Arctic charr. The otoliths of fish have incorporated within their structural and chemical components a large amount of life history and physiological information. Age, growth rate and environmental perturbations will be determined from otolith microstructure, while environmental trends in the history of an individual will be determined through elemental composition analyses of otoliths. The result of these investigations will be a comprehensive and detailed understanding of physiologically and ecologically induced changes in otolith microstructure and chemical composition. This knowledge is vital to an understanding of the processes foundational to adaptable life history patterns and should make it possible to link growth and migration to nutritional and environmental occurrences.