Timing of reproduction underlies fitness tradeoffs for a salmonid fish

Life history diversity is generated and maintained in part by density-dependent fitness tradeoffs that inhibit a single trait value from reaching fixation. While central to our understanding of evolution, demonstrating density dependence in the strength of fitness tradeoffs is difficult in natural systems. The timing of reproduction is a key life history trait that determines access to breeding habitat and exposure of offspring to competitive interactions and environmental conditions. Understanding the processes underlying diversity in reproductive timing will aid efforts to increase adaptive capacity under global environmental change. Here, we used detailed field studies, genetic parentage assignment, and simulation modeling to evaluate the fitness tradeoffs associated with the timing of reproduction for Yellowstone cutthroat trout Oncorhynchus clarkii bouvieri in groundwater-dominated tributaries to the upper Snake River, Wyoming, USA. We conducted our study across two years to understand how the strength of tradeoffs changes with population density. We found that early breeders experienced reduced reproductive success relative to later breeders due to the negative impact of nest superimposition (where later breeders construct nests overlapping those constructed previously) on embryo survival. However, as the risk of superimposition declined in the low-density year and early breeders experienced fewer losses, reproductive success became more similar among individuals breeding at different times. Further, in the spring following the critical period for growth and survival, offspring of early breeders had experienced longer growing seasons, attained larger body sizes, and were equally abundant relative to those of later breeders, suggesting that fitness losses due to superimposition may be offset by size-dependent competitive ability and overwinter survival. Our results illustrate a mechanism underlying diversity in the timing of reproduction for salmonids. This type of life history diversity will help to ensure the resilience and stability of salmonid populations attempting to adapt to changing local stressors associated with global climate change.