Wild and laboratory exposure to cues of predation risk increases relative brain mass in male guppies

Reddon, Adam R.; Chouinard-Thuly, Laura; Leris, Ioannis; Reader, Simon M.

doi:10.1111/1365-2435.13128

Cited by 37 publications

(66 citation statements)

References 66 publications

(110 reference statements)

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“…We found that guppy populations that were translocated from high to low predation sites evolved relatively larger brains, which seems to oppose previous results in this species [9]. Importantly, we also found considerable divergence in brain size among the introduction populations, which indicates non-parallel evolution.…”

Section: Discussioncontrasting

confidence: 98%

“…density and intraspecific competition), both contemporary and historical. These factors may aid in explaining the discrepancies among studies on brain size evolution in response to predation [8][9][10]24].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…These have focused on the Trinidadian streams, where pronounced geographical variation in predation risk occurs in close proximity [23]. However, the results and conclusions contrast greatly, as positive [9], negative [10] and no associations [8,24,25] between brain size and predation regimes were reported. These studies made use of the natural variation in predation regimes to infer evolution post hoc.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Experimental translocations to low predation lead to non-parallel increases in relative brain size

2020

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Cite this article: Mitchell DJ, Vega-Trejo R, Kotrschal A. 2020 Experimental translocations to low predation lead to non-parallel increases in relative brain size. Biol. Lett. 16: 20190654. http://dx.Predation is a near ubiquitous factor of nature and a powerful selective force on prey. Moreover, it has recently emerged as an important driver in the evolution of brain anatomy, though population comparisons show ambiguous results with considerable unexplained variation. Here, we test the reproducibility of reduced predation on evolutionary trajectories of brain evolution. We make use of an introduction experiment, whereby guppies (Poecilia reticulata) from a single high predation stream were introduced to four low predation streams. After 8-9 years of natural selection in the wild and two generations of common garden conditions in the laboratory, we quantified brain anatomy. Relative brain region sizes did not differ between populations. However, we found a general increase and striking variation in relative brain size of introduced populations, which varied from no change to a 12.5% increase in relative brain weight, relative to the ancestral high predation population. We interpret this as evidence for nonparallel evolution, which implies a weak or inconsistent association of relative brain size with fitness in low predation sites. The evolution of brain anatomy appears sensitive to unknown environmental factors, or contingent on either chance events or historical legacies of environmental change.

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Section: Discussioncontrasting

confidence: 98%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Experimental translocations to low predation lead to non-parallel increases in relative brain size

2020

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“…In guppies ( Poecilia reticulate ), divergent lines for large and small brain size showed that due to a negative genetic correlation with gut size, small brained fish need to trade‐off relative brain size with feeding efficiency (Kotrschal et al, ) and immune function (Kotrschal, Kolm, & Penn, ). This is indicative of evolutionary trade‐offs due to varying levels of predation (Reddon, Chouinard‐Thuly, Leris, & Reader, ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Genetic and phenotypic responses to genomic selection for timing of breeding in a wild songbird

et al. 2019

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The physiological mechanisms underlying avian seasonal timing of reproduction, a life‐history trait with major fitness consequences, are not well understood. Comparing individuals that have been selected to differ in their timing of breeding may prove to be a promising in studying these mechanisms, making selection lines a valuable tool. We created selection lines for early and late timing of breeding in great tits (Parus major) using genomic selection, that is selection based on multi‐marker genotypes rather than on the phenotype. We took in nestlings (F1 generation) from wild broods of which the mother was either an extremely early (“early line”) or extremely late (“late line”) breeder. These chicks were then genotyped and, based on their “genomic breeding values” (GEBVs), we selected individuals for early and late line breeding pairs to produce the F2 generation in captivity. The F2 offspring was hand‐reared, genotyped and selected to produce an F3 generation, which were then again genotyped and selected. This way we obtained laying dates in aviaries for F1, F2 and F3 birds. We studied the genetic response to the artificial selection and found increased genetic differentiation between the early and late reproducing selection lines over generations (F1–F3), indicated by both diverging GEBVs and increased fixation indices (FST). We studied the phenotypic response to selection for birds breeding in outdoor breeding aviaries. We found that early line birds laid earlier than late line birds, and this difference increased over the generations (F1–F3), with non‐significant line effects for the F1 and F2, but highly significant line differences for the F3. We also assessed whether there was correlated selection on two traits that are potentially part of the mechanisms underlying seasonal timing: the endogenous free‐running period of the day/night clock (tau) and basal metabolic rate, but found no correlated selection. We have successfully created selection lines on seasonal timing in a wild bird species and obtained an instrument for future studies to investigate the physiological mechanisms underlying timing of breeding, and the genetic variation in these mechanisms, an essential component for evolutionary change in timing of reproduction. A free Plain Language Summary can be found within the Supporting Information of this article.

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“…Still, predation pressure has been proposed as a major force shaping the brain. Recently, it has been shown that brain size increased under increased predation pressure in male guppies (Reddon, Chouinard-Thuly, Leris, & Reader, 2018). In this context, predators add complexity to the environment, promoting cell proliferation and neurogenesis.…”

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confidence: 99%

Can juvenile Baltic sturgeon ( Acipenser oxyrinchus ) smell the enemy?

et al. 2019

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Summary Atlantic sturgeon (Acipenser oxyrinchus), also known as Baltic sturgeon, is considered extinct in German waters. Fish‐rearing for conservation purposes largely relies on classical hatchery technology focusing on traits like survival and growth in captivity but rarely focusing on subsequent life in the wild, lacking skills such as foraging or anti‐predation behavior. Predation is hence a major factor for mortality in newly stocked individuals. The aim of this study was to evaluate if naïve Baltic sturgeon juveniles were able to recognize a common predator—zander (Sander lucioperca)—by olfactory cues and adapt accordingly. Over a period of 30 days, Baltic sturgeons were supplied with effluent water from a rearing tank with zander (zander unit) and, as a control, carp (carp unit), three tanks each. Distribution within the tank, morphology of the dorsal scutes, stress (glucose, lactate and cortisol) and gene expression of brain plasticity and cognition were studied in comparison to the control group (carp unit). No significant differences between the zander and the carp unit were observed in any of the parameters measured. Thus, we conclude that naïve Baltic sturgeon is not able to innately recognize potential predators by olfaction alone. Therefore, future studies should focus on applying predator odor together with chemical alarm substances.

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Wild and laboratory exposure to cues of predation risk increases relative brain mass in male guppies

Cited by 37 publications

References 66 publications

Experimental translocations to low predation lead to non-parallel increases in relative brain size

Experimental translocations to low predation lead to non-parallel increases in relative brain size

Genetic and phenotypic responses to genomic selection for timing of breeding in a wild songbird

Can juvenile Baltic sturgeon ( Acipenser oxyrinchus ) smell the enemy?

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