SELECTION ON HERITABLE SEASONAL PHENOTYPIC PLASTICITY OF BODY MASS

摘要: The ability to cope with environmental change is fundamental a species' evolution. Organisms can respond seasonal variation through phenotypic plasticity. substantial plasticity in body mass of temperate species has often been considered simple consequence quality, but could also have evolved as an adaptation seasonality. We investigated the genetic basis of, and selection acting on, for wild bighorn sheep ewes (Ovis canadensis) at Ram Mountain, Alberta, under two contrasting conditions. Heritability plasticity, estimated mass-specific summer winter changes, was low significant. additive variance component relative greater good conditions (characterized by population increase high juvenile survival) than poor (population decrease survival). Additive appeared independent found evidence on (relative) (relative absolute) change. For given mass, more plastic individuals (with changes) achieve fitness reproduction following year. However, correlations between parameters were positive. Our study supports hypothesis that vertebrates natural other traits might limit its evolutionary potential.