Intraspecific geographic and seasonal physiological variability in an intertidal fish, Girella laevifrons, along a climatic gradient

Metabolic rate and condition factor (K) of juvenile Girella laevifrons were highest in southern populations along the Chilean coast. Since adults of G. laevifrons complete their life cycle in subtidal waters, the results suggest a metabolic cold adaptation in juveniles of this species and physiological compensation that enable them to move early to subtidal environments for reproduction