Effects of Early-Life Environment on Phenotype and Selection in Agrostemma githago

Abstract

Premise of research. This study demonstrates that carryover effects from differences in early-life environmental conditions influence patterns of mortality, natural selection, and late-life phenotype.Methodology. Using the annual species Agrostemma githago, an experimental design was established to create different early-life environments and a common late-life environment. Genotypes from a paternal cross design were replicated across three environmental treatments and two seasons, for a total of six different early-life environments, and then they all shared a common late-life environment.Pivotal results. ANOVA revealed significant G × E interactions for size within early environment treatments. Effects of early-life environment were observed throughout the life cycle, and these effects extended to late life stages when all individuals were living in the common environment. Variation in phenotypic selection was also influenced by early-life environment, and this variation was caused by viability selectio...