Scottish Populations Research Articles

First genetic evidence that invasive bullhead (Cottus L. 1758) in Scotland is of English origin and the difficulty of resolving the European Cottus species taxonomy.

The European bullhead (Cottus gobio) is widely distributed across Europe, and within the UK is native to England and Wales, where it is protected under the Habitats Directive. In Scotland, however, the species is considered invasive and thriving populations are recorded in the Forth and Clyde river catchments, and the Ale Water in the Scottish Borders. The genetic identity of the Scottish populations has not been established. There is also debate about the status of the European bullhead and its validity as single species, a species complex with several unresolved species, or distinct different species in its European distribution range. There is therefore a need to determine the taxonomy and likely source of the novel Scottish populations. Genetic analyses using cytochrome oxidase 1 (COI) mitochondrial DNA sequences were undertaken on specimens from the Forth and Clyde catchments, and combined with the results of morphological characteristics to provide a comprehensive assessment of the taxonomic classification for Scottish bullheads. There was considerable variation in morphological characteristics between populations within Scotland and a wider range of variability than previously recorded for English populations. Genetically the Scottish populations were very closely related to English specimens, supporting the hypothesis of introduction directly from England to Scotland. In terms of broader relationships, Scottish specimens are genetically more closely related to the ostensible species Chabot fluviatile Cottus perifretum, which has been suggested as one of a complex of species across Europe. Morphologically they exhibit characteristics on the spectrum between C. perifretum and C. gobio. There is an urgent need for the clarification of the taxonomy of Cottus sp(p). to avoid confusion in future publications, legislation and management practices relating to bullheads throughout the UK and Europe.

Genomic assessment of local adaptation in dwarf birch to inform assisted gene flow.

When populations of a rare species are small, isolated and declining under climate change, some populations may become locally maladapted. Detecting this maladaptation may allow effective rapid conservation interventions, even if based on incomplete knowledge. Population maladaptation may be estimated by finding genome–environment associations (GEA) between allele frequencies and environmental variables across a local species range, and identifying populations whose allele frequencies do not fit with these trends. We can then design assisted gene flow strategies for maladapted populations, to adjust their allele frequencies, entailing lower levels of intervention than with undirected conservation action. Here, we investigate this strategy in Scottish populations of the montane plant dwarf birch (Betula nana). In genome‐wide restriction site‐associated single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) data, we found 267 significant associations between SNP loci and environmental variables. We ranked populations by maladaptation estimated using allele frequency deviation from the general trends at these loci; this gave a different prioritization for conservation action than the Shapely Index, which seeks to preserve rare neutral variation. Populations estimated to be maladapted in their allele frequencies at loci associated with annual mean temperature were found to have reduced catkin production. Using an environmental niche modelling (ENM) approach, we found annual mean temperature (35%), and mean diurnal range (15%), to be important predictors of the dwarf birch distribution. Intriguingly, there was a significant correlation between the number of loci associated with each environmental variable in the GEA and the importance of that variable in the ENM. Together, these results suggest that the same environmental variables determine both adaptive genetic variation and species range in Scottish dwarf birch. We suggest an assisted gene flow strategy that aims to maximize the local adaptation of dwarf birch populations under climate change by matching allele frequencies to current and future environments.

Variation in the prion protein gene (PRNP) sequence of wild deer in Great Britain and mainland Europe

Susceptibility to prion diseases is largely determined by the sequence of the prion protein gene (PRNP), which encodes the prion protein (PrP). The recent emergence of chronic wasting disease (CWD) in Europe has highlighted the need to investigate PRNP gene diversity in European deer species, to better predict their susceptibility to CWD. Here we report a large genetic survey of six British deer species, including red (Cervus elaphus), sika (Cervus nippon), roe (Capreolus capreolus), fallow (Dama dama), muntjac (Muntiacus reevesii), and Chinese water deer (Hydropotes inermis), which establishes PRNP haplotype and genotype frequencies. Two smaller data sets from red deer in Norway and the Czech Republic are also included for comparison. Overall red deer show the most PRNP variation, with non-synonymous/coding polymorphisms at codons 98, 168, 226 and 247, which vary markedly in frequency between different regions. Polymorphisms P168S and I247L were only found in Scottish and Czech populations, respectively. T98A was found in all populations except Norway and the south of England. Significant regional differences in genotype frequencies were observed within both British and European red deer populations. Other deer species showed less variation, particularly roe and fallow deer, in which identical PRNP gene sequences were found in all individuals analysed. Based on comparison with PRNP sequences of North American cervids affected by CWD and limited experimental challenge data, these results suggest that a high proportion of wild deer in Great Britain may be susceptible to CWD.

First assessment of MHC diversity in wild Scottish red deer populations

Control and mitigation of disease in wild ungulate populations are one of the major challenges in wildlife management. Despite the importance of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) genes for immune response, assessment of diversity on these genes is still rare for European deer populations. Here, we conducted the first assessment of variation at the second exon of the MHC DRB in wild populations of Scottish highland red deer, the largest continuous population of red deer in Europe. Allelic diversity at these loci was high, with 25 alleles identified. Selection analyses indicated c. 22% of amino acids encoded under episodic positive selection. Patterns of MHC allelic distribution were not congruent with neutral population genetic structure (estimated with 16 nuclear microsatellite markers) in the study area, the latter showing a marked differentiation between populations located at either side of the Great Glen. This study represents a first step towards building an immunogenetic map of red deer populations across Scotland to aid future management strategies for this ecologically and economically important species.

Assessment of habitat and survey criteria for the great crested newt (Triturus cristatus) in Scotland: a case study on a translocated population

The great crested newt Triturus cristatus has declined across its range due to habitat loss, motivating research into biotic and abiotic species determinants. However, research has focused on populations in England and mainland Europe. We examined habitat and survey criteria for great crested newts in Scotland, with focus on a large, translocated population. Adult counts throughout the breeding season were obtained annually using torchlight surveys, and Habitat Suitability Index (HSI) assessed at created ponds (N = 24) in 2006 (immediately post-translocation) and 2015 (9 years post-translocation). In 2006, ‘best case’ HSI scores were calculated to predict habitat suitability should great crested newts have unrestricted access to terrestrial habitat. Abiotic criteria included in and omitted from current great crested newt survey guidelines were assessed using data recorded in 2015. Some ponds had improved HSI scores in 2015, but overall failure to meet predicted scores suggests management is needed to improve habitat suitability. Great crested newt activity was positively associated with moon visibility and phase, air temperature, and pH, but negatively correlated with water clarity. Importantly, our results indicate there are abiotic determinants specific to Scottish great crested newts. Principally, survey temperature thresholds should be lowered to enable accurate census of Scottish populations.

Fit is fat: winter body mass of Atlantic Puffins Fratercula arctica

ABSTRACTCapsule: Atlantic Puffins Fratercula arctica from Scottish and Norwegian populations were significantly heavier in winter than when rearing chicks.Aims: To compare body masses of Atlantic Puffins on their wintering grounds off the Faroe Islands with those of birds rearing chicks at colonies in Scotland and Norway.Methods: We took standardized measurements of wing length and body mass of Atlantic Puffins during the summer chick-rearing period and on the wintering grounds near the Faroe Islands. These measurements were used to estimate seasonal changes in body mass for the two breeding populations. In three cases data were available for individuals weighed both at the colony and on the wintering grounds.Results: On average, Atlantic Puffins breeding in Scotland and Norway increased their body mass by 20–30% between the chick-rearing period and winter. The very limited individual level data accorded well with the population level estimates.Conclusions: Our results provide the first estimates of the order of magnitude in mass change between two key life history stages in this species. They indicate that gains in body mass between chick-rearing and winter are at least double the decline in mass previously recorded between incubation and chick-rearing. Given the Atlantic Puffin’s deteriorating conservation status, improved information on seasonal changes in body condition should help determine the underlying causes of die-offs in major wreck incidents such as those reported in recent years.

Weak isolation by distance and geographic diversity gradients persist in Scottish relict pine forest

Abstract: Gene flow is one of the main factors shaping genetic diversity within and among tree populations, and occurs through pollen and seed dispersal. Recent findings of pollen-release asynchronies in distant populations of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) within Scotland suggest that gene dispersal among more distant populations might be less effective than previously thought. Limited gene dispersal is one of the major factors causing genetic structure for neutral markers, and pollen-release asynchrony could have driven isolation by distance (IBD) among Scottish populations. Previous studies of neutral markers found little differentiation among Scottish populations of Scots pine, however they did not consider IBD over the full Scottish range. We analysed data from 6 nuclear simple sequence repeats (SSR) and 5 chloroplast SSR loci in a total of 540 individuals of Scots pine from 18 populations across Scotland. Our aim was to assess contemporary levels and distribution of genetic variation and to test if the distribution of genetic diversity was consistent with IBD. We also analysed patterns of gene flow that could have contributed to the observed patterns of variation. Levels of genetic diversity were high, for both nuclear and chloroplast markers within populations, and there was no significant differentiation among populations. A weak signal of IBD was present. We found an increase in nuclear diversity towards the East along with greater gene flow in a West-East direction commensurate with the prevailing winds. Our findings suggest that this wind-driven gene flow is dominant over genetic drift and prevents differentiation among the Scottish populations. It may also counteract any pollen-release asynchronies among populations.

Bror Hanson's 'About Hepialus hecta' (1938): a pioneering study of moth behaviour (Lepidoptera, Hepialidae)

Hanson's (1938) atmospheric narrative of the mating behaviour of Phymatopus hecta is reprinted in a new translation from the Swedish. The paper is a classic of focussed investigation within a century in which only fragmentary information about this species was published; regrettably it remained unnoticed for forty years. Hanson established that the courtship behaviour was non-stereotypic (each of his three observed courtships was unique), and that both males and females could attract each other. He suggested that the males were deploying a pheromone, noted an extraordinary back to front copulation procedure, and was the first to report predation by wasps. All of which waited from half to three-quarters of a century before being reconfirmed. Some of his detailed observations are ambivalent, being at variance with recent observations in Scotland, suggesting either that the populations have diverged, or that the behaviour was locally modified because of a highly distorted sex ratio. Or he may simply have been inaccurate in distinguishing males from females. The reported timing of events suggests, using the time of sunset, that the observations were made in the region of Kalmar and Öland in south-eastern Sweden; there is a strong suggestion that the period of activity is shifted to a time more in advance of sunset, relative to the Scottish populations.

Craniometric variation among Brazilian and Scottish populations: a physical anthropology approach

Aim: The present investigation intended to compare the craniometric variations of two samples of different nationalities (Brazilian and Scottish). Materials and methods: The Brazilian sample consisted of 100 modern complete skulls, including 53 female skulls and 47 male skulls, and the Scottish sample consisted of 100 historical skulls (61 males, 39 females) and 36 mandibles (24 males, 12 females). The cranial measurement protocol was composed of 40 measurements, 11 bilateral and 29 unilateral, and the measurement protocol of the mandible was composed of 15 measurements, with six that were bilateral and nine that were unique. The comparative analysis of the metric variability between the two samples was performed using the means and medians analysis, the t-test, the Wilcoxon test, and the coefficient of variance, with a significance level of 5%. Results: The results showed that, among the 72 analysed variables, 44 measurements (61.11%) presented statistical differences between the samples. The Scottish skull tends to have a cranial length (GOL diff=5.53), breadth (XCB diff=3.78) and height (NPH diff=5.33) greater than the Brazilian skulls, and the Scottish mandibles tend to show a higher mandibular ramus height (MRH diff=9.25), a higher mandibular body height (HMB diff=6.37) and a larger bigonial breadth (BGB diff=5.29) than the Brazilians. The discriminant analysis of the 51 cranial measurements and 21 mandibular measurements showed a variation of the percentage of accuracy between 46.3-83.8%. Conclusion: The metric analysis demonstrated that there is variability between the two samples studied (61,11%), but a concrete cause cannot be determined considering the multifactorial aspects of the variations of form and size.

Insular Celtic population structure and genomic footprints of migration.

Previous studies of the genetic landscape of Ireland have suggested homogeneity, with population substructure undetectable using single-marker methods. Here we have harnessed the haplotype-based method fineSTRUCTURE in an Irish genome-wide SNP dataset, identifying 23 discrete genetic clusters which segregate with geographical provenance. Cluster diversity is pronounced in the west of Ireland but reduced in the east where older structure has been eroded by historical migrations. Accordingly, when populations from the neighbouring island of Britain are included, a west-east cline of Celtic-British ancestry is revealed along with a particularly striking correlation between haplotypes and geography across both islands. A strong relationship is revealed between subsets of Northern Irish and Scottish populations, where discordant genetic and geographic affinities reflect major migrations in recent centuries. Additionally, Irish genetic proximity of all Scottish samples likely reflects older strata of communication across the narrowest inter-island crossing. Using GLOBETROTTER we detected Irish admixture signals from Britain and Europe and estimated dates for events consistent with the historical migrations of the Norse-Vikings, the Anglo-Normans and the British Plantations. The influence of the former is greater than previously estimated from Y chromosome haplotypes. In all, we paint a new picture of the genetic landscape of Ireland, revealing structure which should be considered in the design of studies examining rare genetic variation and its association with traits.

Nose profile morphology and accuracy study of nose profile estimation method in Scottish subadult and Indonesian adult populations

This study investigated nose profile morphology and its relationship to the skull in Scottish subadult and Indonesian adult populations, with the aim of improving the accuracy of forensic craniofacial reconstruction. Samples of 86 lateral head cephalograms from Dundee Dental School (mean age, 11.8 years) and 335 lateral head cephalograms from the Universitas Padjadjaran Dental Hospital, Bandung, Indonesia (mean age 24.2 years), were measured. The method of nose profile estimation based on skull morphology previously proposed by Rynn and colleagues in 2010 (FSMP 6:20–34) was tested in this study. Following this method, three nasal aperture-related craniometrics and six nose profile dimensions were measured from the cephalograms. To assess the accuracy of the method, six nose profile dimensions were estimated from the three craniometric parameters using the published method and then compared to the actual nose profile dimensions.In the Scottish subadult population, no sexual dimorphism was evident in the measured dimensions. In contrast, sexual dimorphism of the Indonesian adult population was evident in all craniometric and nose profile dimensions; notably, males exhibited statistically significant larger values than females. The published method by Rynn and colleagues (FSMP 6:20–34, 2010) performed better in the Scottish subadult population (mean difference of maximum, 2.35 mm) compared to the Indonesian adult population (mean difference of maximum, 5.42 mm in males and 4.89 mm in females).In addition, regression formulae were derived to estimate nose profile dimensions based on the craniometric measurements for the Indonesian adult population. The published method is not sufficiently accurate for use on the Indonesian population, so the derived method should be used. The accuracy of the published method by Rynn and colleagues (FSMP 6:20–34, 2010) was sufficiently reliable to be applied in Scottish subadult population.

Neuregulin-1 Gene and Schizophrenia, and its Negative Symptoms in an Iranian Population

Background: During the last two decades, much effort is put to better understand the etiology of schizophrenia. Studying negative symptoms such as endophenotypes is a plausible approach to elucidate the genetic basis of schizophrenia. Neuregulin-1 (NRG1) is a key candidate gene to develop schizophrenia and its negative symptoms. The NRG1 variant rs6988339 was previously characterized as a schizophrenia susceptibility locus in different Scottish populations. Objectives: The current study aimed to examine the association of rs6988339 with schizophrenia and its negative symptoms in an Iranian population. Methods: The current case-controlled study enrolled 469 subjects (276 unrelated schizophrenia patients and 193 healthy controls). The study investigated the association of rs6988339 with schizophrenia and its negative symptoms (assessed with the positive and negative syndrome scale; PANSS) in an Iranian population. Results: The obtained results showed that rs6988339 was a schizophrenia susceptibility locus in the Iranian population, the minor allele G was the risk allele and A the protective allele (P = 0.0007). Of the four subscales of the PANSS test, the negative score showed the strongest association with this variant (P = 0.001). Conclusions: The results further supported the implication of NRG1 in the pathogenesis of negative symptoms in schizophrenia.

Neuregulin-1 Gene and Schizophrenia, and its Negative Symptoms in an Iranian Population

Background: During the last two decades, much effort is put to better understand the etiology of schizophrenia. Studying negative symptoms such as endophenotypes is a plausible approach to elucidate the genetic basis of schizophrenia. Neuregulin-1 (NRG1) is a key candidate gene to develop schizophrenia and its negative symptoms. The NRG1 variant rs6988339 was previously characterized as a schizophrenia susceptibility locus in different Scottish populations. Objectives: The current study aimed to examine the association of rs6988339 with schizophrenia and its negative symptoms in an Iranian population. Methods: The current case-controlled study enrolled 469 subjects (276 unrelated schizophrenia patients and 193 healthy controls). The study investigated the association of rs6988339 with schizophrenia and its negative symptoms (assessed with the positive and negative syndrome scale; PANSS) in an Iranian population. Results: The obtained results showed that rs6988339 was a schizophrenia susceptibility locus in the Iranian population, the minor allele G was the risk allele and A the protective allele (P = 0.0007). Of the four subscales of the PANSS test, the negative score showed the strongest association with this variant (P = 0.001). Conclusions: The results further supported the implication of NRG1 in the pathogenesis of negative symptoms in schizophrenia.

The status of the freshwater pearl mussel Margaritifera margaritifera in Scotland: extent of change since 1990s, threats and management implications

All known rivers in Scotland with recent records of freshwater pearl mussels Margaritifera margaritifera were surveyed in 2013–2015 using a standard methodology. Freshwater pearl mussel populations were classed as: (i) apparently extinct in 11 rivers, (ii) not successfully recruiting in 44 rivers, and (iii) evidence of recent successful recruitment in 71 rivers. On a regional basis, a high proportion of extant populations were located in North and West Scotland. In all regions extant populations were characterised by low pearl mussel densities, with 97 of 115 extant Scottish populations defined as ‘rare’ (0.1–0.9 mussels per 1 m 2) or ‘scarce’ (1.0–9.9 mussels per 1 m 2). Only 18 Scottish rivers now hold pearl mussel populations in densities that are considered to be ‘common’ (10–19.9 mussels per 1 m 2) or ‘abundant’ (>20 mussels per 1 m 2). Based on survey evidence, the number of apparently extinct pearl mussel populations in Scottish rivers is now 73. The decline is particularly pronounced in the West Highlands and Western Isles strongholds. The key threats are: (i) pearl fishing, (ii) low host fish densities, (iii) pollution/water quality, (iv) climate change and habitat loss, (v) hydrological management/river engineering and (vi) ‘other factors’, such as non-native invasive species. Over the last 100 years this endangered species has been lost from much of its former Holarctic range. Scotland’s extant M. margaritifera populations continue to be of international importance, but their continued decline since the first national survey in 1998 is of great concern.

Basis risk in static versus dynamic longevity-risk hedging

This paper provides a tractable, parsimonious model for assessing basis risk in longevity and its effect on the hedging strategies of Pension Funds and annuity providers. Basis risk is captured by a single parameter, that measures the co-movement between the portfolio and the reference population’s longevity. The paper sets out the static, full and customized swap-hedge for an annuity, and compares it with a dynamic, partial, and index-based hedge. We calibrate our model to the UK and Scottish populations. The effectiveness of static versus dynamic strategies depends on the rebalancing frequency of the second, on the relative costs, and on basis risk, which does not affect fully-customized, static hedges. We show that appropriately calibrated dynamic hedging strategies can still be reasonably effective, even at low rebalancing frequencies.

Neolithic and Bronze Age migration to Ireland and establishment of the insular Atlantic genome

The Neolithic and Bronze Age transitions were profound cultural shifts catalyzed in parts of Europe by migrations, first of early farmers from the Near East and then Bronze Age herders from the Pontic Steppe. However, a decades-long, unresolved controversy is whether population change or cultural adoption occurred at the Atlantic edge, within the British Isles. We address this issue by using the first whole genome data from prehistoric Irish individuals. A Neolithic woman (3343-3020 cal BC) from a megalithic burial (10.3× coverage) possessed a genome of predominantly Near Eastern origin. She had some hunter-gatherer ancestry but belonged to a population of large effective size, suggesting a substantial influx of early farmers to the island. Three Bronze Age individuals from Rathlin Island (2026-1534 cal BC), including one high coverage (10.5×) genome, showed substantial Steppe genetic heritage indicating that the European population upheavals of the third millennium manifested all of the way from southern Siberia to the western ocean. This turnover invites the possibility of accompanying introduction of Indo-European, perhaps early Celtic, language. Irish Bronze Age haplotypic similarity is strongest within modern Irish, Scottish, and Welsh populations, and several important genetic variants that today show maximal or very high frequencies in Ireland appear at this horizon. These include those coding for lactase persistence, blue eye color, Y chromosome R1b haplotypes, and the hemochromatosis C282Y allele; to our knowledge, the first detection of a known Mendelian disease variant in prehistory. These findings together suggest the establishment of central attributes of the Irish genome 4,000 y ago.

Between‐site and ‐year variation in the relative susceptibility of native Scottish Pinus sylvestris populations to dothistroma needle blight

Dothistroma needle blight (DNB), caused by Dothistroma septosporum, is currently the disease causing most concern in British pine plantations. Previous artificial inoculation (AI) experiments showed that native Scottish Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris) populations vary in susceptibility to DNB. However, it is unclear if the relative susceptibility of Scots pine populations observed in these experiments can be replicated under natural conditions. It is also unknown whether relative susceptibility of Scots pine populations varies between sites or years. To answer these two questions, young Scots pine plants from six native Scottish populations (Abernethy, Allt Broighleachan, Amat, Beinn Eighe, Glen Cannich and Glen Loyne) were exposed to natural D. septosporum inoculum at two Scottish sites (Culbin and Torrs Warren) between 2012 and 2014. DNB disease incidence and severity was assessed each October. Relative susceptibilities of the Scots pine populations varied between sites and across years. In two of the three years at Torrs Warren (2012 and 2014), the relative susceptibilities of the populations were strongly positively correlated with those observed in previous AI experiments. In these years, trees from Glen Loyne and Glen Cannich were the most susceptible. Conversely, there was no correlation between the relative susceptibilities seen in any year at Culbin with those observed in AI experiments. At Culbin, Beinn Eighe was the most susceptible population. Across both sites, there was a strong positive relationship between total summer precipitation and DNB severity (R = 0·93, t = 8·2, P = 0·001).

What is the origin of the Scottish populations of the European endemicCherleria sedoides(Caryophyllaceae)?

Cherleria sedoides L. (Minuartia sedoides (L.) Hiern) is a montane perennial which, with some species in Minuartia sect. Spectabiles, is more closely related to Scleranthus than to other Minuartia species and is therefore best restored to the reinstated and redefined genus Cherleria. Reconstruction of the ancestral area of the clade containing C. sedoides suggests that it evolved in the Alps or the Balkan peninsula. The species now has an unusual distribution, being present in the mountains of southern Europe and Scotland but absent from the Arctic. Three historical scenarios that might have led to the presence of the species in Scotland are outlined and tested by a molecular analysis comparing Scottish populations with populations from the Pyrenees and the Alps. The sampled populations show little variation in internal transcribed spacer (ITS)/external transcribed spacer (ETS) but much more in cpDNA. The latter reveals a major division between some Alpine material and the other Alpine, Pyrenean and Scottish plants. Once the anomalous Alpine haplotypes are excluded, Scottish populations are at least as variable as those from the Alps and Pyrenees, and are closely related to both. We conclude that they have not undergone a long period of isolation, nor have they originated by recent, long-distance dispersal from the Alps or Pyrenees. They appear to be derived from a metapopulation that was probably widespread at the last glacial maximum (LGM) and gave rise to the Alpine, Pyrenean and Scottish plants.

Numbers and distribution of Black Grouse Tetrao tetrix males in England: results from the fourth survey in 2014

Capsule A survey in 2014 of male Black Grouse in England showed a continuation of declines in North Northumberland and increases in the North Pennines and Yorkshire Dales.Aims To survey the abundance and range of Black Grouse males in northern England.Methods Males attending leks were surveyed in spring 2014 and numbers compared with previous surveys in 1998, 2002 and 2006.Results Abundance increased from 773 males in 1998 to 1437 in 2014 and range from 74 occupied 5 × 5-km grid squares in 1998 to 108 in 2014.Conclusion Whilst numbers and range of Black Grouse in England have increased overall, the species has practically disappeared from North Northumberland, causing a 34 km gap to develop in the range, potentially preventing interchange between the English and Scottish populations.

Scottish lobster fisheries and environmental variability

Abstract Variability in the fluctuations of two Scottish lobster populations, the Hebrides and Southeast, was investigated from available long dataseries of fishery and environmental variables. In a multivariate context, relationships between selected environmental variables and the fishery data were studied at different spatial and temporal (annual, spring, and autumn) scales and from individual and overall sampled fleet. Multivariate techniques such as cross-correlation function, principal components analysis, and redundancy analysis confirmed that the capture of lobsters was strongly influenced by sea surface temperature, windspeed, and sea level pressure throughout the year, and this dependence affected the duration of the fishery. There were evident differences in the patterns of environmental variables for both regions. In the Hebrides, the total variation (42%) of the interaction fishery-environmental variables for spring and autumn fisheries could be attributed to the environmental variables in an 89%. For the Southeast, spring fishery was more affected by changes in the environment, with a total variation of 34%, from which 85% could be explained by the environmental variables tested, than autumn fishery where catches and catch rates may be more affected by the way individual vessel and sampled fleet operate. Two elements were identified, Hebrides and Southeast spring and autumn fisheries. The Hebrides lobster population is strongly influenced by density-independence processes at all spatial scales. The Southeast fishery is also driven by environmental processes, with higher correlations for recruits with differences at small and large spatial scales.