Changes in behavioural trait integration following rapid ecotype divergence in an aquatic isopod.
Author
Summary, in English
Colonization of new habitats can relax selection pressures, and traits or trait combinations no longer selected for might become reduced or lost. We investigated behavioural differentiation and behavioural trait integration in the freshwater isopod Asellus aquaticus. This isopod has recently colonized a novel habitat and diverged into two ecotypes which encounter different predator faunas. We investigated sex-specific behavioural differences and phenotypic integration in three behavioural assays: (i) time to emerge (TE) from a shelter, (ii) activity and (iii) escape behaviour. General activity and escape behaviour differed between ecotypes. Furthermore, general activity and TE differed between sexes. Behavioural traits were more frequently correlated in the ancestral habitat, and phenotypic integration tended to be higher in this habitat as well. Our study suggests that different predator types, but also other ecological factors such as habitat matrices and population densities, might explain the differences in behavioural integration in these ecotypes.
Department/s
Publishing year
2011
Language
English
Pages
1887-1896
Publication/Series
Journal of evolutionary biology
Volume
24
Links
Document type
Journal article
Publisher
John Wiley & Sons Inc.
Topic
- Ecology
Keywords
- antipredator behaviour
- Asellus aquaticus
- behavioural correlation
- behavioural syndrome
- phenotypic integration
- predation
- rapid divergence
Status
Published
Research group
- Biodiversity and Conservation Science
- Evolution and Ecology of Phenotypes in Nature
ISBN/ISSN/Other
- ISSN: 1420-9101