Predators can shape genetic correlations in prey by altering prey perception of risk. We manipulated perceived risk to test whether such non-consumptive effects tightened behavioural trait correlations in wild-caught stickleback from high- compared to low-risk environments due to genetic variation in plasticity. We expected tighter genetic correlations within perceived risk treatments than across them, and tighter genetic correlations in high-risk than in low-risk treatments. We identified genetic variation in plasticity, with genetic correlations between boldness, sociality and antipredator morphology, as expected, being tighter within treatments than across them, for both of two populations. By contrast, genetic correlations did not tighten with exposure to risk. Tighter phenotypic correlations in wild stickleback may thus arise because predators induce correlational selection on environmental components of these traits, or because predators tighten residual correlations by causing environmental heterogeneity that is controlled in the laboratory. Our study places phenotypic integration firmly into an ecological context.

POP

Population

0 = Cae Mawr

1 = Lyn Alaw

TREAT

Treatment

               0 = Low Risk

               1 = High Risk

ANIMAL

Individual identity

SIRE

Father’s identity

DAM

Mother’s identity

AGE

Populaton-mean centered age (days since hatching)

SL

Standard Length as defined in Dingemanse et al. (2009)

BD

Body depth as defined in Dingemanse et al. (2009)

Spine

Length of the first dorsal spine as defined in Dingemanse et al. (2009)

E2

Principle component of behavioral variables measured in the novel environment test. Component A1 in Table S4 in Dingemanse et al. (2009). Called “exploratory activity” in the main text

S1

First principle component of behavioral variables measured in the sociability test. Component D1 in Table S4 in Dingemanse et al. (2009). Called “solitariness” in the main text

I

Principle component of behavioral variables measured in the predator-inspection test. Component E1 in Table S4 in Dingemanse et al. (2009). Called “inspection” in the main text

“NA”

Missing values applicable to multiple variables listed above

Reference

Dingemanse, N.J., van der Plas, F., Wright, J., Réale, D., Schrama, M., Roff, D.A., van der Zee, E. & Barber, I. (2009) Individual experience and evolutionary history of predation affect expression of heritable variation in fish personality and morphology. Proceedings of the Royal Society of London Series B, 276, 1285-1293.