Understanding the consistency and plasticity of personality traits during early developmental stages is crucial for comprehending the ecological and evolutionary implications of phenotypic variation. This study investigated the personality traits of S. aurata (gilthead seabream) larvae, focusing on activity, boldness, exploration, and aggression. Trait-repeatability estimates revealed significant repeatability in average distance and velocity, suggesting the presence of an activity personality. However, boldness, exploration, and aggression exhibited lower repeatability measures, indicating a higher level of plasticity. Among-individual variances showed moderate consistency in shelter usage and boldness but substantial plasticity within individuals. Exploration-related behaviors displayed within-individual plasticity, while activity-related traits exhibited variability among larvae. Correlations between trait pairs revealed trade-offs and positive associations, suggesting bold individuals were more exploratory. Negative correlations indicated potential trade-offs between cautiousness and activity level. Within-individual correlations were stronger than among-individual correlations, highlighting the dynamic and plastic nature of larval behavior. The study emphasizes the significance of understanding behavioral dynamics and plasticity in early life stages of S. aurata larvae for their fitness, resource acquisition, and ecological interactions. These findings contribute to our understanding of personality development in fish larvae and provide insights into the adaptive value of behavioral variation during critical developmental periods.
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