The trade-off between fecundity and egg size in a polymorphic population of Arctic charr (Salvelinus alpinus (L.)) in Skogsfjordvatn, subarctic Norway

Abstract

Reproductive traits differ between intralacustrine Arctic charr morphs. Here, we examine three sympatric lacustrine Arctic charr morphs with respect to fecundity, egg size and spawning time/site to assess reproductive investments and trade-offs, and possible fitness consequences. The littoral omnivore morph (LO-morph) utilizes the upper water for feeding and reproduction and spawn early in October. The large profundal piscivore morph (PP-morph) and the small profundal benthivore morph (PB-morph) utilize the profundal habitat for feeding and reproduction and spawn in December and November, respectively. Females from all morphs were sampled for fecundity and egg-size analysis. There were large differences between the morphs. The PB-morph had the lowest fecundity (mean = 45, SD = 13) and smallest egg size (mean = 3.2 mm, SD = 0.32 mm). In contrast, the PP-morph had the highest fecundity (mean = 859.5, SD = 462) and the largest egg size (mean = 4.5 mm, SD = 0.46 mm), whereas the LO-morph had intermediate fecundity (mean = 580, SD = 225) and egg size (mean = 4.3, SD = 0.24 mm). Fecundity increased with increasing body size within each morph. This was not the case for egg size, which was independent of body sizes within morph. Different adaptations to feeding and habitat utilization have apparently led to a difference in the trade-off between fecundity and egg size among the three different morphs.