A benthic predatory fish does not cause selection on armour traits in three-spined stickleback Gasterosteus aculeatus (Gasterosteiformes: Gasterosteidae)

Lateral lines, a major sensory modality in fishes, are diverse among taxa, but their intraspecific variation has received limited attention. We examined numbers of superficial neuromasts on the buttressing lateral plates (LP) of 1910 threespine stickleback (Gasterosteus aculeatus Linnaeus, 1758) from 26 ecologically and morphologically diverse populations on the Haida Gwaii archipelago, western Canada. Extending from previous studies, we predicted that (i) highly stained dystrophic localities would have threespine stickleback with elevated numbers of neuromasts per plate due to a greater reliance on non-visual sensory modalities and (ii) that LP count and neuromast numbers per plate would functionally covary with predatory assemblage. We found that there were no differences in neuromast count across major habitats (marine, lake, stream), but clear-water populations and those with predatory fish had significantly more neuromasts per plate than most populations in highly stained dystrophic lakes, the effects being accentuated on the first buttressing plate (LP4). We also report the first evidence that neuromast counts per plate are sexually dimorphic, with males having a greater density of neuromasts in most populations. Two transplant experiments between ecologically opposite habitats indicate that within 12 generations, neuromast counts per plate can rapidly shift in response to a change in habitat.

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Fast-start swimming performance and reduction in lateral plate number in threespine stickleback

Canadian Journal of Zoology ◽

10.1139/z01-226 ◽

2002 ◽

Vol 80 (2) ◽

pp. 207-213 ◽

Cited By ~ 77

Author(s):

C A Bergstrom

Keyword(s):

Large Scale ◽

Gasterosteus Aculeatus ◽

Swimming Performance ◽

Maximum Velocity ◽

Threespine Stickleback ◽

Predatory Fish ◽

Lateral Plate ◽

Maximum Acceleration ◽

Plate Number ◽

Fast Start

Threespine stickleback (Gasterosteus aculeatus) have colonized freshwater habitats in circumboreal coastal regions, resulting in populations with variable but generally reduced lateral plate numbers compared with marine ancestors. Several abiotic and ecological factors associated with variation in lateral plate number among freshwater populations of G. aculeatus have been found, including large-scale climatic effects, variation in water-flow rates and levels of dissolved calcium, and the presence or absence of predatory fish. In addition, it has been proposed that plate reduction might be an adaptation for evading predator pursuit that enhances fast-start performance. If this hypothesis is correct, one would predict that fast-start performance would improve as lateral plate numbers decrease. I tested this prediction by comparing fast-start performance among stickleback with different numbers of lateral plates within two freshwater populations. Fast-starts of individual stickleback were video-recorded at 60 Hz and maximum velocity, maximum acceleration, displacement, and body curvature were calculated for each fish. Lateral plate number was significantly negatively correlated with velocity and displacement but not with acceleration or curvature. These results suggest that reduction in lateral plate number has the potential to be advantageous in some predation regimes because of its association with enhanced fast-start performance.

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The evolution of freshwater diversity in the threespine stickleback (Gasterosteus aculeatus): site-specific differentiation of trophic morphology

Canadian Journal of Zoology ◽

10.1139/z85-393 ◽

1985 ◽

Vol 63 (11) ◽

pp. 2632-2638 ◽

Cited By ~ 73

Author(s):

P. A. Lavin ◽

J. D. Mcphail

Keyword(s):

Gasterosteus Aculeatus ◽

Morphological Variability ◽

River System ◽

Predatory Fish ◽

Lateral Plate ◽

Piscivorous Fish ◽

Trophic Morphology ◽

Interpopulation Variability ◽

Gill Raker ◽

Lateral Plates

To assess interpopulation levels of morphological variability populations of Gasterosteus aculeatus were sampled from lakes within the upper Cowichan River system (Vancouver Island, British Columbia). Phenotypic divergence between populations is assumed to be a postglacial event. Nine characters were scored; eight were related to feeding and the ninth character was lateral plate number. All populations were the low plate morph; however, populations of Gasterosteus in lakes lacking piscivorous fish had significantly fewer lateral plates than populations in lakes with predatory fish species. Two distinct trophic "morphotypes" were identified, each one associated with a specific lake environment. Populations inhabiting benthic-dominated environments were found to possess reduced gill raker number and reduced gill raker length but increased upper jaw length relative to populations from limnetic environments. We propose that the interpopulation variability in trophic morphology is a response to trophic resource differences between lakes.

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Morphology, life history, and ecology of an unusual stickleback (Gasterosteus aculeatus) in the Queen Charlotte Islands, Canada

Canadian Journal of Zoology ◽

10.1139/z72-099 ◽

1972 ◽

Vol 50 (6) ◽

pp. 721-732 ◽

Cited By ~ 64

Author(s):

G. E. E. Moodie

Keyword(s):

Black Males ◽

Gasterosteus Aculeatus ◽

Nest Site ◽

Predatory Fish ◽

Lateral Plate ◽

Queen Charlotte Islands ◽

Large Size ◽

Breeding Cycles ◽

Plate Counts ◽

Gill Raker

In Mayer Lake Black sticklebacks shared an exposed environment with several predatory fish, whereas leiurus, the typical freshwater form of Gasterosteus aculeatus, was the only fish inhabiting the vegetation-choked margins of the inlet streams and stream mouths. Black sticklebacks and, to a lesser extent, leiurus were seldom collected outside their respective habitats. Breeding Black males were probably at least 2 years old. They preferred to nest near vegetation, on sandy, gently sloping substrates. The length of the breeding season and the number of breeding cycles in the season were similar to those of other populations. Males of different phenotypes appeared to nest in habitats differing in water depth and proximity to shelter. Some differences in habitat of the nest site were seemingly correlated with breeding success. Black sticklebacks are distinguished from leiurus by their large size and pelvic spines; high gill raker, vertebral and lateral plate counts; streamlined shape; melanism and drab breeding colors. Black sticklebacks probably meet the requirements of a biologically defined species.

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CHARACTERISTICS OF FREE-RADICAL PROCESSES IN THE ORGANISMS OF SOME PREDATORY FISH SPECIES IN DIFFERENT SEASONS OF THE YEAR

VESTNIK OF ASTRAKHAN STATE TECHNICAL UNIVERSITY SERIES FISHING INDUSTRY ◽

10.24143/2073-5529-2017-1-117-123 ◽

2017 ◽

pp. 117-123

Author(s):

Nikolay Aleksandrovich Pudovkin ◽

Peter Vladimirovich Smutnev

Keyword(s):

Fish Species ◽

Catalase Activity ◽

Perca Fluviatilis ◽

Selenium Concentration ◽

The Body ◽

Predatory Fish ◽

Volga River ◽

Silurus Glanis ◽

Average Value ◽

Pike Perch

The authors of the article have studied the content of the elements of anti-oxidant system (malondialdehyde, catalase, selenium) in tissues of the internal organs (gills, intestine, muscles, liver, swimbladder, scales) in some species of predatory fish (pike Esox lucius (L., 1758), perch Perca fluviatilis (L., 1758), pike-perch Sander lucioperca (L., 1758), catfish Silurus glanis ) widespread in the basin of the Volga river in the Saratov region. The lowest concentration of malondialdehyde in organisms of the studied fish species is observed in fall and winter; the highest - in spring and summer. Catalase activity in gills tissue of a pike raised in 11.8%, cat-fish - 9.1%, pike-perch - 7.5%, perch - 7.8%. In fall (compared to winter) enzyme activity lowering in gonads of pike-perch makes 16.3%, in gonads of perch - 14.4%. In other tissues there were not observed any evident changes of catalase activity. Fish species under consideration are listed according to the average value of selenium concentration in organisms, µg/g: pike (0.208) > catfish (0.207) > pike-perch (0.196) > perch (0.178). According to the average value of the selenium accumulation in the body in different season all the studied species can be placed in the following order, µg/g: winter-pike (0.132) > pike-perch (0.136) > perch and catfish (0.142); spring - pike-perch (0.190) > perch (0.191) > pike (0.208) > catfish (0.209); summer - perch (0.186) > pike-perch (0.190) > catfish and pike (0.203); autumn - perch (0.193) > pike-perch (0.268) > > catfish (0.274) > pike (0.289).

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