Gene flow and habitat heterogeneity shape coexistence dynamics of Arctic
charr morphs in connected lakes
Abstract
Sympatric morphs provide valuable systems for studying incipient
divergence despite incomplete reproductive isolation. In connected
waterbodies with spatially heterogeneous habitats, one or more morphs
may form metapopulation structures, generating eco-evolutionary dynamics
unlike those in single lakes. We studied the phenotypic and genome-wide
differentiation in Arctic charr (Salvelinus alpinus) in two Icelandic
lakes: Thingvallavatn, known to harbour four distinct morphs, and a
smaller downstream lake, Ulfljotsvatn. Our analyses confirm a single
origin of charr polymorphism in this system, with all morphs present in
both lakes. Relative morph abundances differ between the lakes: PL-charr
dominate in Thingvallavatn, whereas LB-charr are most abundant in
Ulfljotsvatn. Three morphs, large- (LB-), small (SB-) benthivorous and
planktivorous (PL-) charr, are genetically distinct. The system likely
forms a source-sink structure for both PL- and SB-charr, though
migration rates from Thingvallavatn vary remarkably, resulting in
distinct population dynamics. Conversely, LB-char exhibit genetic
differentiation between the lakes, suggesting the presence of a separate
population in Ulfljotsvatn. While piscivorous (PI-) charr appear
genetically similar to PL-charr, evidence suggests hybridization between
PI- and LB-charr in both lakes. Moreover, the higher hybridization in
the downstream lake likely contributes to the observed erosion of
genetic separation between LB- and PL-charr in Ulfljotsvatn. These
findings suggest that the complex interplay of habitat heterogeneity and
morph-specific migrations shapes the coexistence and eco-evolutionary
dynamics of sympatric charr morphs in the connected lakes. Our study
highlights the importance of investigating early divergence in spatially
complex systems to advance eco-evolutionary research.