EvEel (evolutionary ecology-based model for eel): a model to explore the role of phenotypic plasticity as an adaptive response of three temperate eels to spatially structured environments

Abstract

Anguilla anguilla, Anguilla japonica, and Anguilla rostrata are three widely distributed catadromous and semelparous species characterized by a long and passive oceanic larval drift between their marine spawning grounds and nursery areas in continental waters. Their large, spatially heterogeneous environments combined with population panmixia and long and passive larval drift impair the possibility of local adaptation and favour the development of phenotypic plasticity. In this context, we developed EvEel (evolutionary ecology-based model for eel), a model that aims to explore the role of phenotypic plasticity as an adaptive response of eels. Results suggest that the spatial patterns in terms of sex ratio, length-at-silvering, and habitat use observed at both the distribution area and river catchment scales may actually be the result of three adaptive mechanisms to maximize individual fitness in spatially structured environments. We believe that considering phenotypic plasticity as a paradigm is required to develop appropriate models for this species.