thumbnail

Mixed support for the temperature-size rule in wild freshwater fishes

Ecology Letters
By: , , , , , , , , and 
https://doi.org/10.1111/ele.70344

Links

Abstract

The temperature-size rule states that species living in warmer temperatures will grow faster and mature earlier at smaller sizes. While several studies have documented patterns in average body size consistent with the temperature-size rule in wild populations, a comprehensive test is lacking. Here, we use age and length data of 1.4 million fish across 7 species from 2704 lakes to quantify temperature-related variation in growth across ontogeny. Our results show that no species fully conforms to the temperature-size rule; despite patterns of juvenile growth rate and age at maturity typically aligning with the temperature-size rule, these changes seldom translate to reduced size at maturity or maximum size. We also found evidence that faster life histories in warmer environments are associated with reduced lifespans. A deeper understanding of how temperature shapes growth in natural systems is needed to accurately predict the effects of global warming on wildlife.

Suggested Citation

Brooks, G.C., Frater, P.N., Jensen, O.P., Hansen, G.J., Paukert, C., Verhoeven, M., Wszola, L., Xu, L., and Feiner, Z.S., 2026, Mixed support for the temperature-size rule in wild freshwater fishes: Ecology Letters, v. 29, no. 2, e70344, 11 p., https://doi.org/10.1111/ele.70344.

Study Area

Publication type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Title Mixed support for the temperature-size rule in wild freshwater fishes
Series title Ecology Letters
DOI 10.1111/ele.70344
Volume 29
Issue 2
Publication Date February 18, 2026
Year Published 2026
Language English
Publisher Wiley
Contributing office(s) Coop Res Unit Atlanta
Description e70344, 11 p.
Country United States
State Illinois, Indiana, Iowa,Michigan, Minnesota, South Dakota, Wisconsin
Other Geospatial upper Midwest
Additional publication details