Natural selection on thermogenic capacity of high-altitude deer mice

Abstract

Adaptive explanations that rely on physiological arguments are common, but tests of hypotheses about the significance of whole-animal physiological performance (e.g., aerobic capacities) are rare. We studied phenotypic selection on the thermogenic capacity (i.e., maximal rate of oxygen consumption [VO2max] elicited via cold exposure) of high-altitude (~3800 m) deer mice (Peromyscus maniculatus). A high VO2max equates to a high capacity for heat production and should favor survival in the cold environments prevalent at high altitude. Strong directional selection favored high VO2max, at least in one year. The selection for increased VO2max is consistent with predictions derived from incorporating our physiological data into a biophysical model. During another year, we found weak evidence of selection for decreased body mass. Nonlinear selection was not significant for any of the selection episodes we studied. The strong directional selection for VO2max that we observed suggests that-given ample genetic variation-aerobic metabolism and perhaps endothermy may have evolved rapidly on the geological time scale.