Rapid Evolution and Developmental Plasticity in the Behavior of the Trinidadian Guppy A Perez-Umphrey, ED Broder, LM Angeloni Colorado State University An understanding of how organisms respond to new environments through plasticity and adaptation will help answer important questions in light of changing environments. We investigated behavior in Trinidadian guppy (Poecilia reticulata) populations that had been introduced from an environment with high levels of predation to environments with low levels of predation. Using second-generation descendents of guppies from the source and introduced populations, we conducted a common garden experiment to tease apart the plastic and genetic components of behavioral changes. We used a split-brood design to rear siblings in treatments that varied in the presence of predator cues and food availability to quantify behavioral plasticity, evolution of behavior, and the evolution of behavioral plasticity. These experiments revealed developmental plasticity in aspects of male aggressive and reproductive behavior in response to predator cues and food availability in the rearing environment. This study also provides evidence of evolution and evolution of plasticity of aspects of male mating and social behavior within just 1-2 years in a new environment.
Posted on: Wed, 31 Jul 2013 14:39:57 +0000
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