Reproductive timing phenotypes in female salmon: true alternatives or extreme variants?

► Female kokanee vary in colour and sexual maturity at arrival to spawning areas. ► Red arrivals spawn within a few days whereas silver arrivals spawn within 3-4 weeks. ► These phenotypes represent different reproductive tactics relating to parental care. ► Colour data show these phenotypes do not reflect alternative reproductive tactics. ► Instead, female reproductive tactics show continuous variation at the population level.