P.I.: CONOVER, DAVID Proposal #: 95- 30209 PROPOSAL ABSTRACT Genetic variation and local adaptation may be responsible for many of the differences in somatic growth noted among fishes and other organisms. Using a marine fish (the Atlantic silverside Menidia menidia) as a model system, this project proposes to test selective factors that affect the evolution of growth rate. Specifically, experiments using laboratory stocks of silversides will compare: 1) the size-dependency of reproductive output, growth, and survival at different temperatures, 2) swimming performance and vulnerability to predation before and immediately after consuming maximum rations; and 3) the variance in maximal and compensatory growth. Additionally, bioenergetic models will be used to simulate the effect on body size of transplanting genotypes across environments
