Ontogenetic patterns in heritable variation for body size: using random regression models in a wild ungulate population.

摘要: Abstract: Body size is an important determinant of fitness in many organisms. While will typically change over the lifetime individual, heritable components phenotypic variance may also show ontogenetic variation. We estimated genetic (additive and maternal) environmental covariance structures for a trait (June weight) measured first 5 years life natural population bighorn sheep Ovis canadensis. assessed utility random regression models estimating these structures. Additive was found June weight, with heritability increasing ontogeny because declining variance. This pattern, mirrored at level, likely reflects viability selection acting on early traits. Maternal effects were significant ages 0 1, having evolutionary implications but declined age being negligible by 2. Strong positive correlations between age‐specific traits ...