TRADE-OFFS BETWEEN LIFE-HISTORY TRAITS AT RANGE-EDGE AND CENTRAL LOCATIONS

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2015

Authors

Rita Araujo (Author) Other; Ester A Serrao (Author) Other; Isabel Sousa Pinto (Author) FCUP; Francisco Arenas (Author) Other; Carla A Monteiro (Author) Other; Gunilla Toth (Author) Other; Henrik Pavia (Author) Other; Per Aberg (Author) Other

Journal

Title: Journal of Phycology

Vol. 51

Pages: 808-818

ISSN: 0022-3646

Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 14 Citations

Scopus - 16 Citations

Scientific classification

FOS: Natural sciences > Earth and related Environmental sciences

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-00G-F96

DOI: 10.1111/jpy.12321

Abstract (EN): The allocation of resources to different life-history traits should represent the best compromise in fitness investment for organisms in their local environment. When resources are limiting, the investment in a specific trait must carry a cost that is expressed in trade-offs with other traits. In this study, the relative investment in the fitness-related traits, growth, reproduction and defence were compared at central and range-edge locations, using the seaweed Ascophyllum nodosum as a model system. Individual growth rates were similar at both sites, whereas edge populations showed a higher relative investment in reproduction (demonstrated by a higher reproductive allocation and extended reproductive periods) when compared to central populations that invested more in defence. These results show the capability of A. nodosum to differentially allocate resources for different traits under different habitat conditions, suggesting that reproduction and defence have different fitness values under the specific living conditions experienced at edge and central locations. However, ongoing climate change may threaten edge populations by increasing the selective pressure on specific traits, forcing these populations to lower the investment in other traits that are also potentially important for population fitness.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 11