What environmental factor, acting upon genetic potential, drives differences like faster metabolic rates or altered growth curves in distinct yellowtail snapper populations?
Answer
The environment
Physiological variations observed between different stocks, such as differences in growth curves or metabolic rates, are ultimately consequences of environmental pressures interacting with the inherent genetic makeup of the fish. The environment acts as the selective agent. For instance, slight variations in the local habitat structure leading to different dominant food sources—such as a greater reliance on plankton versus crustaceans—will exert selection over generations, favoring those individuals whose inherent genetics allow for slightly better physiological efficiency in those specific feeding conditions, thereby reinforcing genetic separation.
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