Líffræðifélag Íslands - biologia.is
Líffræðiráðstefnan 2017
Erindi/veggspjald / Talk/poster V54
Höfundar / Authors: Skúli Skúlason (1,2), Sigurður S. Snorrason (2), David L.G. Noakes (3), Bjarni K. Kristjánsson (1)
Starfsvettvangur / Affiliations: 1. Háskólinn á Hólum, 2. Háskóli Íslands, 3. Oregon State University
Kynnir / Presenter: Sigurður Halldór Árnason
Numerous populations of small benthic (SB) Arctic charr have evolved in parallel under similar yet slightly variable environmental conditions throughout the neo-volcanic zone of Iceland. This offers a unique opportunity to investigate the role of the environment in the evolution of biodiversity. We took advantage of this by sampling 35 populations and examining how fine scale environmental variability influences the evolution of life history diversity among them.
The numerous populations of SB Arctic charr in Iceland are particularly well suited for this task as morphologically similar, yet slightly divergent populations can be found in spring habitats within lakes, ponds and streams (different habitats) within multiple watersheds (replicate lineages). Fish in these populations are small and robust with blunt snouts and sub-terminal mouths. Although similar in morphology there are subtle morphological differences among populations which are linked to variability in environmental factors. The variability in life history of these populations (age, growth, maturation) has not been studied in any detail.
Focusing on fine scale variability within species which occupy separate and somewhat variable environments provides critical insight into the role that ecological factors may have in shaping biodiversity. This offers the chance to investigate the relationship between life history characteristics and ecological diversity on a much finer scale than previously has been done.