Open AccessGenomic basis of fishing-associated selection varies with population density
Author(s) -
Amélie Crespel,
Kevin Schneider,
Toby Miller,
Anita Rácz,
Arne Jacobs,
Jan Lindström,
Kathryn R. Elmer,
Shaun S. Killen
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
proceedings of the national academy of sciences of the united states of america
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 5.011
H-Index - 771
eISSN - 1091-6490
pISSN - 0027-8424
DOI - 10.1073/pnas.2020833118
Subject(s) - fishing , selection (genetic algorithm) , biology , natural selection , evolutionary biology , context (archaeology) , population , effective population size , ecology , genetic variation , gene , genetics , demography , artificial intelligence , sociology , computer science , paleontology
Significance Fisheries-associated selection is recognized as one of the strongest potential human drivers of contemporary evolution in natural populations. The results of this study show that while simulated commercial fishing techniques consistently remove fish with traits associated with growth, metabolism, and social behavior, the specific genes under fishing selection differ depending on the density of the targeted population. This finding suggests that different fish populations of varying sizes will respond differently to fishing selection at the genetic level. Furthermore, as a population is fished over time, the genes under selection may change as the population diminishes. This could have repercussions on population resilience. This study highlights the importance of selection but also environmental and density effects on harvested fish populations.