Líffræðifélag Íslands - biologia.is
Líffræðiráðstefnan 2023
Höfundar / Authors: Kenedy Williams(1), Guðbjörg Ósk Jónsdóttir(1), Sarah E. Steele(1), Finnur Ingimarsson(1), Sigurður S. Snorrason(1), Pamela Woods(2) and Arnar Pálsson(1).
Starfsvettvangur / Affiliations: 1. University of Iceland 2. Marine and Freshwater Research Institute
Kynnir / Presenter: Kenedy Williams
Intraspecific diversity in ecological traits is particularly impressive in Arctic charr, Salvelinus alpinus, a salmonid found in rivers and lakes in the northern hemisphere. Icelandic Arctic charr exhibits resource polymorphism, an intraspecific ecological variation that presents in resource-specific morphs within a population. Studies show the ecological importance of resource polymorphism in charr, but less is known about diversity in their feeding adaptations. This project aims to quantify craniofacial adaptions found in Arctic charr in isolated and sea-accessible lakes in Iceland. The main questions being addressed are i) do putative anadromous populations vary among parts of the island, ii) does ecological polymorphism manifest in jaw morphology, and iii) are shorter lower jaw and wider maxilla associated with benthic specialization in isolated populations? We will analyze newly collected specimens and data sourced from lakes across Iceland in the last century. We will isolate and analyze specific bones from adult fish of varied populations, notably the shape and teeth traits, to test for size and shape allometry, differences in allometry by population, and variation in shape by groups. Prior studies have revealed a range in polymorphisms in lakes in Iceland, indicating a strong response of Arctic charr to its environment. Climate change could affect resource availability in Icelandic lakes, and further research will be crucial to protect Arctic charr populations.