A framework for understanding Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) life history

We took a hierarchical approach to understanding Atlantic salmon (Salmo sal ar) life history patterns by first comparing salmonids to other teleosts, n ext comparing Atlantic salmon to other salmonids, and finally, mapping corr elations among individual life history traits within Atlantic salmon. The c ombination of anadromy, large eggs, nest construction and egg burial by fem ales, and large size at maturity differentiates salmonids from most other t eleosts. Within the family Salmonidae, there is considerable variation in a ll traits but Atlantic salmon are generally in the middle of the range. Wit hin Atlantic salmon, we were able to map correlations among individual life history traits, but we found that we still lacked an understanding compreh ensive and quantitative enough to allow us to predict how the entire life h istory should respond to environmental changes Thus we proposed several gen eral courses of action: (i) use models to synthesize complex patterns and r elationships, (ii) collect long time series of data in individual systems, and (iii) design experiments to assess phenotypic plasticity and how enviro nmental influences differ from genetic effects and constraints.