Evolutionary physiology of thermal performance in Atlantic salmon

Temperature anomalies, such as heatwaves, have devastating effects on organisms and ecosystems. Aquatic ectotherms are particularly vulnerable to heatwaves but the

perception of risks related to heatwaves relies heavily on studies on mortality under short-term, intense exposures, overlooking sublethal physiological effects, and subsequent fitness costs. This projects uses an evolutionary framework to address major gaps of knowledge in thermal physiology of fish using Atlantic salmon. Evolutionary implications of heatwaves on salmon life-history traits are studied using genetic prediction of age at maturity. Our aim is to disentangle the mechanistic basis of how life-history is associated with thermal performance and in how salmon manage their energy expenditure upon warming.