Countergradient variation in body shape between two populations of Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua)

Variation in morphological traits is generally thought to be cogradient, with environmental effects on phenotypic expression reinforcing genetic differences between populations. We compared body shape between two populations of Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua). Striking shape differences occurred between...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Proceedings of the Royal Society. B, Biological sciences Biological sciences, 2006-01, Vol.273 (1583), p.217-223
Main Authors: Marcil, Julie, Swain, Douglas P, Hutchings, Jeffrey A
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animal morphology
Animals
Body Size
Censuses
Countergradient Variation
Ecological genetics
Ecosystem
Evolution
Evolutionary genetics
Fish Morphology
Gadus morhua
Gadus morhua - anatomy & histology
Gadus morhua - growth & development
Genetic Diversity
Genetic variation
Marine
Marine fishes
Morphometrics
Phenotype
Phenotypic Plasticity
Phenotypic traits
Population genetics
Young animals
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Summary:Variation in morphological traits is generally thought to be cogradient, with environmental effects on phenotypic expression reinforcing genetic differences between populations. We compared body shape between two populations of Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua). Striking shape differences occurred between juveniles from the two populations when reared in a common laboratory environment. However, no difference in body shape occurred between wild-reared juveniles from the two populations, suggesting that the genetic differences between populations were obscured by opposing effects of the environmental differences experienced in the wild. We suggest that much of the genetic diversity in body shape of fishes may be cryptic, with stabilizing selection for the same optimal phenotype resulting in genetic divergence between populations subject to contrasting environmental influences.
ISSN:0962-8452
1471-2954
DOI:10.1098/rspb.2005.3306