Eveel (Evolutionary ecology based model for Eel): A Model to Explore the Role of Phenotypic Plasticity As an Adaptive Response of Three Temperate Eels (Anguilla anguilla, A. japonica and A. rostrata) to Spatially Structured Environments

Anguilla anguilla, A. japonica and A. rostrata are three largely distributed catadromous and semelparous species characterized by a long and passive oceanic larval drift between their marine spawning grounds and their nursery areas in continental waters. Their large and environmentally contrasted environment combined with population panmixia and long and passive larval drift impair the possibility of local adaptation and favour the development of phenotypic plasticity. In this context, we develop EvEel, a model that aims at exploring the role of phenotypic plasticity as an adaptive response of eels. Results suggest that the spatial patterns in terms of sex-ratio, length-at-silvering and habitat use observed at both the distribution area and the river catchment scales may actually be the result of three adaptive mechanisms to maximize individual fitness in spatially structured environment. We think that considering phenotypic plasticity as a paradigm is required to develop appropriate models for this species.