Context dependency of trait repeatability and its relevance for management and conservation of fish populations

What is it about?

The ability of animal species to adapt to environmental disturbances such as climate change, ocean acidification, and pollution will largely depend on the extent to which their traits are consistent among individuals within a population. For example, if variation in maximum swimming speed is repeatable within a population of fish, slower fish may be selected against if they are poorer at migrating or more likely to be caught by predators. As temperatures warm, however, fish may vary in their sensitivity to temperature and different individuals may become the fastest swimmers and gain a selective advantage. This study examines how changes to the environment can affect trait repeatability and how populations can adapt by considering the question, "Is the best fish the best in every context?".

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Why is it important?

The notion that populations consist of individuals that differ has repercussions for conservation and management of the species. We discuss this in more detail in this paper.