Maternal influences on offspring size, behaviour and energy metabolism

摘要: In my thesis I investigate the ecology of maternal influences: unique ability mothers to influence, via genetic and non-genetic means, phenotypic expression their offspring. My research is presented as a series standalone chapters that are introduced then summarised by general introduction (Chapter 1) discussion 6) respectively. One main components an organism’s energy budget its baseline level metabolism. Individual differences in this cost self-maintenance (termed chapter, resting metabolic rate, RMR) substantial, but causes consequences variation obscure. Chapter 2, review published literature show influences (along with other factors) can contribute substantially offspring RMR. Also, RMR - fitness relationship appears be modulated environmental conditions (e.g. food supply), suggesting given may context-dependent. Thus, propose broad-scale might persist natural populations, due both spatial temporal trans-generational influence mothers. To further on metabolism, measured standard rate (SMR, measure equivalent used reference ectothermic animals) juvenile brown trout (Salmo trutta) response intra-clutch manipulations egg cortisol testosterone 3). Although, neither hormone affected SMR (egg treatment resulted likely pharmacological dose), juveniles from cortisol-treated eggs were smaller subordinate individuals control eggs. This indicates amount deposited females, either among clutches or within them, affect performance. In separate experiment 4), investigated if within-clutch phenotypes systematically related position where each individual developed during oogenesis. For size, siblings dominant initially larger (but had lower mass-corrected SMR) they rear mass. However, heterogeneity size different positions mass diminished ranking females. Juvenile social status also varied according position, although direction effect depended age. Maternal not only determined experienced females immediately prior reproduction. 5, whether growth adult reproductive traits female wild Atlantic salmon performance wild. Investment was linked mothers. Even when controlling for these ‘past’ ‘present’ extended performance. Offspring positively investment reproduction mother. The survival biomass relationships differed grown at fast slow rates juveniles. Overall demonstrates substantial source behaviour physiology, clutches. underlines importance therefore fitness.