Lake Superior 'zombie fish' are getting smaller. Researchers seek answers - WCMU
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Lake Superior's shrinking "zombie fish" are a living case study in how food scarcity drives evolutionary and ecological body-size shifts — and researchers aren't sure which theory explains it.
Bergmann's RuleTrophic CascadeResource Limitation TheoryPhenotypic Plasticity
Theory Briefing
- Lake Superior trout are getting smaller, earning the eerie nickname 'zombie fish' as researchers scramble for answers.
- A leading theory from DNR biologist Shawn Sitar suggests reduced prey availability may be stunting the trout's growth.
- Whether the shrinkage is ecological, evolutionary, or climate-driven remains unresolved — making this a real-world test of multiple biological frameworks.