title: Causes and consequences of intra-specific variation in vertebral number.
abstract: Intraspecific variation in vertebral number is taxonomically widespread. Much scientific attention has been directed towards understanding patterns of variation in vertebral number among individuals and between populations, particularly across large spatial scales and in structured environments. However, the relative role of genes, plasticity, selection, and drift as drivers of individual variation and population differentiation remains unknown for most systems. Here, we report on patterns, causes and consequences of variation in vertebral number among and within sympatric subpopulations of pike (Esox lucius). Vertebral number differed among subpopulations, and common garden experiments indicated that this reflected genetic differences. A QST-FST comparison suggested that population differences represented local adaptations driven by divergent selection. Associations with fitness traits further indicated that vertebral counts were influenced both by stabilizing and directional selection within populations. Overall, our study enhances the understanding of adaptive variation, which is critical for the maintenance of intraspecific diversity and species conservation.
authors.affiliation: Ecology and Evolution in Microbial model Systems, EEMiS, Department of Biology and Environmental Science, Linnaeus University, SE-391 82 Kalmar, Sweden.
authors.forename: Petter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Tibblin
authors.affiliation: Ecology and Evolution in Microbial model Systems, EEMiS, Department of Biology and Environmental Science, Linnaeus University, SE-391 82 Kalmar, Sweden.
authors.forename: Hanna
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Berggren
authors.affiliation: Ecology and Evolution in Microbial model Systems, EEMiS, Department of Biology and Environmental Science, Linnaeus University, SE-391 82 Kalmar, Sweden.
authors.forename: Oscar
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Nordahl
authors.affiliation: Ecology and Evolution in Microbial model Systems, EEMiS, Department of Biology and Environmental Science, Linnaeus University, SE-391 82 Kalmar, Sweden.
authors.forename: Per
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Larsson
authors.affiliation: Ecology and Evolution in Microbial model Systems, EEMiS, Department of Biology and Environmental Science, Linnaeus University, SE-391 82 Kalmar, Sweden.
authors.forename: Anders
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Forsman
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D017859:Esocidae / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000235:genetics*; D056084:Genetic Fitness; D014644:Genetic Variation; D012641:Selection, Genetic; D013131:Spine / Q000033:anatomy & histology*