Data from: Adaptations of early development to local spawning temperature in anadromous populations of pike (Esox lucius)

Background: In the wake of climate change many environments will be
exposed to increased and more variable temperatures. Knowledge about how
species and populations respond to altered temperature regimes is
therefore important to improve projections of how ecosystems will be
affected by global warming, and to aid management. We conducted a common
garden, split-brood temperature gradient (4.5 °C, 9.7 °C and 12.3 °C)
experiment to study the effects of temperature in two populations (10
families from each population) of anadromous pike (Esox lucius) that
normally experience different temperatures during spawning. Four offspring
performance measures (hatching success, day degrees until hatching, fry
survival, and fry body length) were compared between populations and among
families. Results: Temperature affected all performance measures in a
population-specific manner. Low temperature had a positive effect on the
Harfjärden population and a negative effect on the Lervik population.
Further, the effects of temperature differed among families within
populations. Conclusions: The population-specific responses to temperature
indicate genetic differentiation in developmental plasticity between
populations, and may reflect an adaptation to low temperature during early
fry development in Harfjärden, where the stream leading up to the wetland
dries out relatively early in the spring, forcing individuals to spawn
early. The family-specific responses to temperature treatment indicate
presence of genetic variation for developmental plasticity (G x E) within
both populations. Protecting between- and within-population genetic
variation for developmental plasticity and high temperature-related
adaptive potential of early life history traits will be key to long-term
viability and persistence in the face of continued climate change.