Phenotypic plasticity and adaptation in the morphology, life history traits and bioenergetics of introduced species

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My Discovery Grant research in this cycle will focus on the life history, morphology, genetics and bioenergetics of invasive fish populations; their ability to respond to new opportunities presented by novel environments and the loss of adaptations to the native environment. Hypotheses will be tested that identify and explain observed life history differences between native and non-native populations, the dynamic alteration of life history traits as invasive species expand their range, fitness advantages to individuals that migrate into new areas, morphological plasticity in invasive populations, and energetic adaptations of invasive populations to a novel thermal regime. Dynamic aspects of range expansion will be assessed on a Round Goby in Ontario that we have studied since 2006. Population and life-history traits will be compared at the edge of its expanding range with those of its previous-year edge to test whether this species rapidly shifts life history strategies. Population density and habitat data will be incorporated into a range expansion model we developed. Field trials will be conducted to determine the effect of goby biomass, depth, velocity and substrate on goby eDNA, and an eDNA detectability model will be developed from these data. Mitochrondrial and microsatellite DNA will be analyzed from native and non-native Pumpkinseed to identify the area of origin and mechanisms of range expansion in the Iberian Peninsula where the species is invasive. Using progeny from Pumpkinseed colonies established locally from source populations in Spain and Ontario, trophic common environment experiments will be conducted with juveniles to assess morphological plasticity and to test alternative hypotheses to explain the loss of adaptations to native thermal regimes. Life-history traits of progeny from these colonies will be assessed to determine the relative contribution of inheritance and phenotypic plasticity to observed life history differences. The proposed research provides a unique opportunity to explain why particular species are successful invaders in some regions but not others.