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Can timing of spawning explain the increase in egg size with female size in salmonid fish?
Author(s) -
Louhi Pauliina,
Robertsen Grethe,
Fleming Ian A.,
Einum Sigurd
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
ecology of freshwater fish
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.667
H-Index - 55
eISSN - 1600-0633
pISSN - 0906-6691
DOI - 10.1111/eff.12121
Subject(s) - salmo , biology , oncorhynchus , fish <actinopterygii> , salmonidae , fishery , ecology , selection (genetic algorithm) , zoology , seasonal breeder , artificial intelligence , computer science
A common observation is that egg size increases with maternal size within populations. Several hypotheses have been proposed to explain this phenomenon. Most recently, it was suggested that the optimal egg size depends on female size due to correlations between (i) breeding time and egg size selection and (ii) female size and breeding time, and as such, the positive egg size–maternal size relationship represents an adaptive strategy. Here, we test the second of these two premises in two salmonid species, Atlantic salmon ( Salmo salar ) and coho salmon ( Oncorhynchus kisutch) for which we have detailed breeding and egg size data. The body size of spawning females decreased throughout the season in coho salmon, but not in Atlantic salmon. Furthermore, we did not find a direct correlation between egg size and breeding time, which would also be expected if this premise was correct. Accordingly, breeding date does not appear to be as important as other factors in shaping among female differences in egg size.