Habitat choice promotes and constrains phenotypic plasticity

Abstract

Habitat choice can either speed up or slow rates of phenotypic evolution, depending on which trait is measured. We suggest that habitat choice plays an analogous, and generally overlooked, role in shaping patterns of phenotypic plasticity. Using our work with an amphibious fish, we discuss two case studies that demonstrate how habitat choice can both promote and constrain expression of plasticity. First, habitat choice during the dry season accentuates adaptive metabolic plasticity and minimizes maladaptive changes to muscle, ultimately increasing survival time out of water. Second, a trade-off between water- and air-breathing drives matching habitat choice, resulting in positive feedback that reinforces respiratory specialization and environmental preference. Overall, these case studies demonstrate that we must consider the interactions between plasticity and habitat choice to fully understand how animals survive in the face of environmental change. Without considering both processes simultaneously, the performance of animals in challenging conditions can be either under- or over-estimated. Finally, because habitat choice shapes the frequency and predictability of environmental changes that animals experience, feedback between habitat choice and expressions of phenotypic plasticity may be an important factor that influences how plasticity evolves.

Genetic tools for the study of the mangrove killifish, Kryptolebias marmoratus, an emerging vertebrate model for phenotypic plasticity

“…Kryptolebias marmoratus is a truly unique verterbate that invites investigation of dynamic phenotypic states not observed in other common laboratory species. Kmar demographics and variability in life history traits are well documented (Mackiewicz et al, 2006; Tatarenkov et al, 2007, 2009, 2012; Taylor et al, 2008), and plastic responses to environment are beginning to be analyzed (Rossi et al, 2020; Turko & Rossi, 2022). We provide advances in husbandry and genetic tools to enable the integrative exploration development and physiology in the context of a changing environment.…”

Genetic tools for the study of the mangrove killifish, Kryptolebias marmoratus,an emerging vertebrate model for phenotypic plasticity

“…Kryptolebias marmoratus is a truly unique verterbate that invites investigation of dynamic phenotypic states not observed in other common laboratory species. Kmar demographics and variability in life history traits are well documented (Mackiewicz et al, 2006b;Tatarenkov et al, 2012;Tatarenkov et al, 2007;Tatarenkov et al, 2009;Taylor et al, 2008), and plastic responses to environment are beginning to be analyzed (Rossi et al, 2020;Turko and Rossi, 2022). We provide advances in husbandry and genetic tools to enable the integrative exploration development and physiology in the context of a changing environment.…”