Selection on plasticity of seasonal life-history traits using random regression mixed model analysis.

ABSTRACT: Theory considers the covariation of seasonal life-history traits as an optimal reaction norm, implying that deviating from this reaction norm reduces fitness. However, the estimation of reaction-norm properties (i.e., elevation, linear slope, and higher order slope terms) and the selection on these is statistically challenging. We here advocate the use of random regression mixed models to estimate reaction-norm properties and the use of bivariate random regression to estimate selection on these properties within a single model. We illustrate the approach by random regression mixed models on 1115 observations of clutch sizes and laying dates of 361 female Ural owl Strix uralensis collected over 31 years to show that (1) there is variation across individuals in the slope of their clutch size

SUBMITTER: Brommer JE 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3399192 | biostudies-literature | 2012 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature