Intrinsic and extrinsic drivers of life-history variability for a south-western cutthroat trout
The impacts of climate change on cold-water fishes will likely negatively manifest in populations at the trailing edge of their distributions. Rio Grande cutthroat trout (Oncorhynchus clarkii virginalis, RGCT) occupy arid south-western U.S. streams at the southern-most edge of all cutthroat trout distributions, making RGCT particularly vulnerable to the anticipated warming and drying in this region. We hypothesised that RGCT possess a portfolio of life-history traits that aid in their persistence within streams of varying temperature and stream drying conditions. We used otolith and multistate capture–mark–recapture data to determine how these environmental constraints influence life-history trait expression (length- and age-at-maturity) and demography in RGCT populations from northern New Mexico, United States. We found evidence that RGCT reached maturity fastest at sites with warm stream temperatures and low densities. We did not find a strong relationship between discharge and any demographic rate, although apparent survival of mature RGCT decreased as stream temperature increased. Our study suggests plasticity in trait expression may be a life-history characteristic which can assist trailing edge populations like RGCT persist in a changing climate.
Citation Information
Publication Year | 2021 |
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Title | Intrinsic and extrinsic drivers of life-history variability for a south-western cutthroat trout |
DOI | 10.1111/eff.12567 |
Authors | Brock M. Huntsman, Colleen A. Caldwell, Abigail Lynch, Fitsum Abadi |
Publication Type | Article |
Publication Subtype | Journal Article |
Series Title | Ecology of Freshwater Fish |
Index ID | 70226971 |
Record Source | USGS Publications Warehouse |
USGS Organization | Coop Res Unit Seattle; National Climate Change and Wildlife Science Center |
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