Cause or consequence? Exploring the role of phenotypic plasticity and genetic polymorphism in the emergence of phenotypic spatial patterns of the European eel

The European eel (Anguilla anguilla), and generally, temperate eels, are relevant species for studying adaptive mechanisms to environmental variability because of their large distribution areas and their limited capacity of local adaptation. In this context, GenEveel, an individual-based optimization model, was developed to explore the role of adaptive phenotypic plasticity and genetic-dependent habitat selection, in the emergence of observed spatial life-history traits patterns for eels. Results suggest that an interaction of genetically and environmentally controlled growth may be the basis for genotype-dependent habitat selection, whereas plasticity plays a role in changes in life-history traits and demographic attributes. Therefore, this suggests that those mechanisms are responses to address environmental heterogeneity. Moreover, this brings new elements to explain the different life strategies of males and females. A sensitivity analysis showed that the parameters associated with the optimization of fitness and growth genotype were crucial in reproducing the spatial life-history patterns. Finally, it raises the question of the impact of anthropogenic pressures that can cause direct mortalities but also modify demographic traits, and act as a selection pressure.