Abstract:Selective harvesting of animals is widespread throughout the marine, freshwater, and terrestrial environments and affects a diverse list of species, including fish, mammals, birds, and reptiles (1). Such harvesting can cause changes in the distribution of phenotypic traits within target populations, often with undesirable biological and economic consequences. For example, selective harvesting has been linked to declines in the size of trophy horns in two antelope species in Zimbabwe (2) and of antlers in red d… Show more
“…; Jørgensen et al. ; Andersen and Brander ; see also Bunnefeld and Keane ). Although exploited fish populations can consist of individuals of reduced average adult body size for both demographic and evolutionary reasons (Jørgensen et al.…”
Size-selective harvesting is assumed to alter life histories of exploited fish populations, thereby negatively affecting population productivity, recovery, and yield. However, demonstrating that fisheries-induced phenotypic changes in the wild are at least partly genetically determined has proved notoriously difficult. Moreover, the population-level consequences of fisheries-induced evolution are still being controversially discussed. Using an experimental approach, we found that five generations of size-selective harvesting altered the life histories and behavior, but not the metabolic rate, of wild-origin zebrafish (Danio rerio). Fish adapted to high positively size selective fishing pressure invested more in reproduction, reached a smaller adult body size, and were less explorative and bold. Phenotypic changes seemed subtle but were accompanied by genetic changes in functional loci. Thus, our results provided unambiguous evidence for rapid, harvest-induced phenotypic and evolutionary change when harvesting is intensive and size selective. According to a life-history model, the observed life-history changes elevated population growth rate in harvested conditions, but slowed population recovery under a simulated moratorium. Hence, the evolutionary legacy of size-selective harvesting includes populations that are productive under exploited conditions, but selectively disadvantaged to cope with natural selection pressures that often favor large body size.
“…; Jørgensen et al. ; Andersen and Brander ; see also Bunnefeld and Keane ). Although exploited fish populations can consist of individuals of reduced average adult body size for both demographic and evolutionary reasons (Jørgensen et al.…”
Size-selective harvesting is assumed to alter life histories of exploited fish populations, thereby negatively affecting population productivity, recovery, and yield. However, demonstrating that fisheries-induced phenotypic changes in the wild are at least partly genetically determined has proved notoriously difficult. Moreover, the population-level consequences of fisheries-induced evolution are still being controversially discussed. Using an experimental approach, we found that five generations of size-selective harvesting altered the life histories and behavior, but not the metabolic rate, of wild-origin zebrafish (Danio rerio). Fish adapted to high positively size selective fishing pressure invested more in reproduction, reached a smaller adult body size, and were less explorative and bold. Phenotypic changes seemed subtle but were accompanied by genetic changes in functional loci. Thus, our results provided unambiguous evidence for rapid, harvest-induced phenotypic and evolutionary change when harvesting is intensive and size selective. According to a life-history model, the observed life-history changes elevated population growth rate in harvested conditions, but slowed population recovery under a simulated moratorium. Hence, the evolutionary legacy of size-selective harvesting includes populations that are productive under exploited conditions, but selectively disadvantaged to cope with natural selection pressures that often favor large body size.
“…Harvested populations have shown substantial alteration of morphological and life history traits with net documented changes in these types of traits averaging 18% and 25%, respectively (Darimont et al, 2009). Yet, distinguishing between ecological and evolutionary causes is neither a trivial nor a simple matter (Bunnefeld & Keane, 2014;Fenberg & Roy, 2008) and, in one recent study, demographic changes resulting from hunting explained observed phenotypic changes that were earlier attributed to evolution (Traill, Schindler, & Coulson, 2014). Still, potential evolutionary impacts of harvesting deserve consideration in applied management and conservation efforts, not least because they can be difficult to reverse (Bunnefeld & Keane, 2014;Coltman et al, 2003;Darimont et al, 2009;Fenberg & Roy, 2008).…”
mentioning
confidence: 99%
“…Yet, distinguishing between ecological and evolutionary causes is neither a trivial nor a simple matter (Bunnefeld & Keane, 2014;Fenberg & Roy, 2008) and, in one recent study, demographic changes resulting from hunting explained observed phenotypic changes that were earlier attributed to evolution (Traill, Schindler, & Coulson, 2014). Still, potential evolutionary impacts of harvesting deserve consideration in applied management and conservation efforts, not least because they can be difficult to reverse (Bunnefeld & Keane, 2014;Coltman et al, 2003;Darimont et al, 2009;Fenberg & Roy, 2008). 'Unnatural' selection from hunting can potentially also affect heritable behavioural traits (Allendorf & Hard, 2009), but there is still limited knowledge of the link between harvesting by humans and animal behaviour.…”
Keywords: behavioural plasticity cover fitness food forage risk avoidance safety survival trade-off wildlife management Hunting by humans can be a potent driver of selection for morphological and life history traits in wildlife populations across continents and taxa. Few studies, however, have documented selection on behavioural responses that increase individual survival under human hunting pressure. Using habitat with dense concealing cover is a common strategy for risk avoidance, with a higher chance of survival being the payoff. At the same time, risk avoidance can be costly in terms of missed foraging opportunities. We investigated individual fine-scale use of habitat by 40 GPS-marked European red deer, Cervus elaphus, and linked this to their survival through the hunting season. Whereas all males used similar habitat in the days before the hunting season, the onset of hunting induced an immediate switch to habitat with more concealing cover in surviving males, but not in males that were later shot. This habitat switch also involved a trade-off with foraging opportunities on bilberry, Vaccinium myrtillus, a key forage plant in autumn. Moreover, deer that use safer forest habitat might survive better because they make safer choices in general. The lack of a corresponding pattern in females might be because females were already largely using cover when hunting started, as predicted by sexual segregation theory and the risk of losing offspring. The behavioural response of males to the onset of hunting appears to be adaptive, given that it is linked to increased survival, an important fitness component. We suggest that predictable harvesting regimes with high harvest rates could create a strong selective pressure for deer to respond dynamically to the temporal change in hunting risk. Management should consider the potential for both ecological and evolutionary consequences of harvesting regimes on behaviour.
“…Integral projection models offer a powerful tool for understanding the phenotypic and life‐history consequences of harvesting (Bunnefeld and Keane , Traill et al ). Our study offers valuable insights into how trophy hunting may influence reproductive value and mean antler size in red deer at unusually high hunting quotas (>50%).…”
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