Gut length plasticity in perch: into the bowels of resource polymorphisms

摘要: Recent research has suggested that individual specialization within populations could be substantial and more common than previously acknowledged. Eurasian perch is one of many species fish in lakes postglacial origin displays a morphological dietary variation tightly coupled to the littoral pelagic habitats lake. The occurrence such resource polymorphisms might have important consequences for local adaptation also an initial step speciation. I investigated importance number factors development using as study organism. found weak genetic basis differences, environmental influence on morphology was magnitude induced reversed. results nevertheless differentiation at small spatial temporal scales, even habitats. Several were shown development, suggest behavioral differences mediate response. evidence competition-driven divergence only occur when use favoured same time growth rates are kept sufficiently high character effective. finally indicate gut length individuals co-vary with habitat diet polymorphic populations. This enhance fidelity possibly facilitate persistence since should experience cost switching diets due too specific digestive system. Based these findings conclude scaled currently acknowledged, multi-factorial studies needed if we fully understand mechanisms behind trait diversity, competition not always favors divergence.