Flexibility of nuptial colouration in a unique ecotype of Threespine Stickleback (Gasterosteus aculeatus)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rachel Corney ◽  
Anne Haley ◽  
Laura Weir
Keyword(s):  
Breeding Season ◽  
Gasterosteus Aculeatus ◽  
Colour Change ◽  
Threespine Stickleback ◽  
Relative Role ◽  
Mate Quality ◽  
Breeding Seasons ◽  
Potential Signal ◽  
Intersexual Competition

Nuptial colouration in animals may serve as a signal of competitor and/or mate quality during breeding. In many temperate fishes, nuptial colouration develops during discrete breeding seasons and is a target of sexual selection. We examine nuptial colouration and behaviour of a unique ecotype of Threespine Stickleback (Gasterosteus aculeatus Linnaeus, 1758), wherein males turn from dull brown-grey to pearlescent white during the breeding season. The main goal of this work was to determine the relative role of white colouration in intersexual competition and mate choice. In a combination of a field and laboratory work, we found that males are brightest white when engaging in courtship activities in the presence of a female; this indicates that white colouration may be primarily related to enhancing signalling during mate attraction. White colouration intensity increased as the breeding season progressed and may be related to an influx of conspecifics. Colour change from cryptic grey to bright white occurred rapidly (< 90 seconds) and may be deployed to enhance behavioural signals. We conclude that bright white colouration in the white ecotype is a potential signal of mate quality and may have evolved from a previously existing capacity for colour plasticity in common Threespine Stickleback.

scholarly journals Fecal corticosterone excretion in captive healthy and feather picking African grey parrots (Psittacus erithacus)

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pierluca Costa ◽  
Elisabetta Macchi ◽  
Emanuela Valle ◽  
Michele De Marco ◽  
Laura Gasco ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Breeding Season ◽  
Corticosterone Concentration ◽  
Psittacus Erithacus ◽  
Non Invasive ◽  
Biological Parents ◽  
Ann Arbor ◽  
Different Seasons ◽  
Corticosterone Metabolites ◽  
Breeding Seasons

Feather picking (FP) is a common problem in companion parrots, especially in African grey parrots (Psittacus erithacus). Many hypothesis have been made about this self-mutilating behavior, and serious psychological conflicts can play a pivotal role in the initiation of this self-defeating and self-punishing behaviour. Even though ethological distress is difficult to study, the monitoring of fecal corticoids is a useful non-invasive tool that can be used to assess stress in animals. The purpose of the present study was to compare the fecal corticosterone levels of companion African grey parrots kept as wild-type parrots (WT), healthy pet parrots (HP) and feather picking pet parrots (FPP) during the breeding season and out of the breeding season. An African grey parrot group, composed of 82 individuals, has been studied; these birds were divided into three sub-groups: 1) WT, parrots that were reared by their biological parents, kept in couples and with a regular reproduction activity; 2) HP, parrots that were hand-reared, but did not show any FP symptoms; 3) FPP, parrots that were hand-reared and that showed signs of FP. Fecal samples were collected in the morning on alternate days, during the breeding seasons and out of the breeding season. The fecal corticosterone and immunoreactive corticosterone metabolites were determined using a pan-specific corticosterone enzyme immunoassay kit (K014; Arbor Assays®, Ann Arbor, MI) validated for dried fecal extracts. Analysis of Variance was used to examine any variations due to the breeding season and among the groups of parrots. WT and HP parrots showed lower corticosterone levels than FPP parrots. The fecal corticosterone concentration showed an average (sum of the two seasons) of 74.10 ± 16.89 ng/g in the WT parrots; 79.56 ± 21.23 ng/g in the HP parrots and 185.53 ± 34.83 in the FPP parrots. A statistical trend between fecal corticosterone concentration in the different seasons for the WT parrots (P=0.085) was observed, but not for the other groups. The results suggest that 1) the highest levels of fecal corticosterone are excreted by birds affected by FP; 2) the observed highest level of corticosterone in FPP parrot suggests a role of stress in this self-injuring stereotypic behavior.

scholarly journals Mimicry, colour forms and spectral sensitivity of the bluestriped fangblenny, Plagiotremus rhinorhynchos

2009 ◽  
Vol 276 (1662) ◽  
pp. 1565-1573 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karen L Cheney ◽  
Charlotta Skogh ◽  
Nathan S Hart ◽  
N. Justin Marshall
Keyword(s):  
Colour Vision ◽  
Colour Change ◽  
Reef Fishes ◽  
Visual Pigments ◽  
Rod Photoreceptors ◽  
Body Coloration ◽  
Retinal Photoreceptor ◽  
Spectral Absorbance ◽  
Potential Signal

Animals change their body coloration for a variety of purposes including communication, thermoregulation and crypsis. The cues that trigger adaptive colour change are often unclear, and the role of colour vision remains largely untested. Here, we investigated the bluestriped fangblenny ( Plagiotremus rhinorhynchos ), an aggressive mimic that changes its body coloration to impersonate a variety of coral reef fishes. In this field, we determined the fish species that the fangblenny associated with and measured the spectral reflectance of mimics and their models. We measured the spectral absorbance characteristics of the retinal photoreceptor visual pigments in the bluestriped fangblenny using microspectrophotometry and found it to have rod photoreceptors ( λ max 498 nm), single cones (449 nm) and double cones (561 nm principal member; 520 nm accessory member). Using theoretical vision models, fangblennies could discriminate between the colours they adopted and the colours of the fish they associated with. Potential signal receivers ( Abudefduf abdominalis and Ctenochaetus strigosus ) perceived colours of most mimics to closely resemble fishes they associated with. However, fishes with ultraviolet-sensitive visual pigments were better at discriminating between mimics and models. Therefore, colour vision could be used by fangblennies when initiating colour change enabling them to accurately resemble fishes they associate with and to avoid detection by signal receivers.

Effect of progesterone and estradiol-17β on ovarian fluid secretion in the threespine stickleback, Gasterosteus aculeatus L., form trachurus

1979 ◽  
Vol 57 (2) ◽  
pp. 468-471 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. J. Lam ◽  
K. Chan ◽  
W. S. Hoar
Keyword(s):  
Gasterosteus Aculeatus ◽  
Fluid Secretion ◽  
Threespine Stickleback ◽  
Corpora Lutea ◽  
Fluid Accumulation ◽  
Ovarian Fluid ◽  
Estradiol 17Β ◽  
Ovarian Cavity ◽  
Stimulation Of

Immersion of postspawning sticklebacks in seawater containing 0.5 ppm progesterone for 5 days (medium changed daily) caused marked fluid accumulation in the ovarian cavity. A similar effect was obtained in overripe fish treated in the same way for 9 days; overripe fish have overripe ovulated eggs in the ovarian cavity with very little fluid. Estradiol-17β (1 ppm) also caused ovarian fluid secretion in some postspawning fish, but this may be related to its marked stimulation of ovarian recrudescence. The findings are discussed in relation to the possible role of the postovulatory corpora lutea in ovarian fluid secretion for the maintenance of ovulated eggs.

Some effects of the cestode (Schistocephalus solidus) on reproduction in the threespine stickleback (Gasterosteus aculeatus): evolutionary aspects of a host–parasite interaction

1983 ◽  
Vol 61 (4) ◽  
pp. 901-908 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. D. McPhail ◽  
S. D. Peacock
Keyword(s):  
Adverse Effects ◽  
Breeding Season ◽  
Gasterosteus Aculeatus ◽  
Threespine Stickleback ◽  
Schistocephalus Solidus ◽  
Egg Number ◽  
Gravid Females ◽  
Host Parasite ◽  
Evolutionary Aspects ◽  
Sexually Mature

Monthly samples of threespine stickleback (Gasterosteus aculeatus) were collected from May through September 1975 from Fuller Lake, Vancouver Island. A total of 2175 adult sticklebacks were collected from 10 trap sites located at depths ranging from 0.25 to 5 m. These samples were assayed for length, weight, sex, state of maturity, and egg number (when applicable). In addition, we recorded the number and weight of the plerocercoids of a cestode tapeworm (Schistocephalus solidus) often found in the abdominal cavities of sticklebacks. The purpose of the study was to document the effects of Schistocephalus on reproduction in Gasterosteus. Stickleback spawning reached a peak in June and declined sharply through July and August. Over the entire breeding season, less than 5% of the gravid females were infected with Schistocephalus, whereas over 40% of the sexually mature but nongravid females were infected. There was no difference between breeding and nonbreeding males in the prevalence of Schistocephalus. In both sexes, the prevalence and severity of Schistocephalus infection were low in May, June, and July but increased sharply through August and September. Since the majority of Fuller Lake sticklebacks live for 1 year, the major adverse effects of Schistocephalus were confined to postreproductive adults. We hypothesize that Schistocephalus plerocercoids have been selected to delay adverse effects on their host until after the host has reproduced.

scholarly journals Fecal corticosterone excretion in captive healthy and feather picking African grey parrots (Psittacus erithacus)

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pierluca Costa ◽  
Elisabetta Macchi ◽  
Emanuela Valle ◽  
Michele De Marco ◽  
Laura Gasco ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Breeding Season ◽  
Corticosterone Concentration ◽  
Psittacus Erithacus ◽  
Non Invasive ◽  
Biological Parents ◽  
Ann Arbor ◽  
Different Seasons ◽  
Corticosterone Metabolites ◽  
Breeding Seasons

Feather picking (FP) is a common problem in companion parrots, especially in African grey parrots (Psittacus erithacus). Many hypothesis have been made about this self-mutilating behavior, and serious psychological conflicts can play a pivotal role in the initiation of this self-defeating and self-punishing behaviour. Even though ethological distress is difficult to study, the monitoring of fecal corticoids is a useful non-invasive tool that can be used to assess stress in animals. The purpose of the present study was to compare the fecal corticosterone levels of companion African grey parrots kept as wild-type parrots (WT), healthy pet parrots (HP) and feather picking pet parrots (FPP) during the breeding season and out of the breeding season. An African grey parrot group, composed of 82 individuals, has been studied; these birds were divided into three sub-groups: 1) WT, parrots that were reared by their biological parents, kept in couples and with a regular reproduction activity; 2) HP, parrots that were hand-reared, but did not show any FP symptoms; 3) FPP, parrots that were hand-reared and that showed signs of FP. Fecal samples were collected in the morning on alternate days, during the breeding seasons and out of the breeding season. The fecal corticosterone and immunoreactive corticosterone metabolites were determined using a pan-specific corticosterone enzyme immunoassay kit (K014; Arbor Assays®, Ann Arbor, MI) validated for dried fecal extracts. Analysis of Variance was used to examine any variations due to the breeding season and among the groups of parrots. WT and HP parrots showed lower corticosterone levels than FPP parrots. The fecal corticosterone concentration showed an average (sum of the two seasons) of 74.10 ± 16.89 ng/g in the WT parrots; 79.56 ± 21.23 ng/g in the HP parrots and 185.53 ± 34.83 in the FPP parrots. A statistical trend between fecal corticosterone concentration in the different seasons for the WT parrots (P=0.085) was observed, but not for the other groups. The results suggest that 1) the highest levels of fecal corticosterone are excreted by birds affected by FP; 2) the observed highest level of corticosterone in FPP parrot suggests a role of stress in this self-injuring stereotypic behavior.

Seasonal changes in the gonadotropic cells of the male threespine stickleback, Gasterosteus aculeatus L.

1988 ◽  
Vol 66 (9) ◽  
pp. 1961-1967 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bertil Borg ◽  
Jan Peute ◽  
Göran Paulson
Keyword(s):  
Breeding Season ◽  
Seasonal Changes ◽  
Gasterosteus Aculeatus ◽  
Light And Electron Microscopy ◽  
Threespine Stickleback ◽  
Synthetic Activity ◽  
Cell Nuclei ◽  
Gonadotropic Cells ◽  
Different Seasons ◽  
Threespine Sticklebacks

Pituitaries from threespine sticklebacks (Gasterosteus aculeatus) sampled in the field in different seasons were studied using light and electron microscopy. At the start of breeding in May the gonadotropic cells demonstrated an increase in the amount of dilated granular endoplasmic reticulum cisternae and in the size of Golgi complexes, indicating increased synthetic activity. When the breeding season ended in August these features declined. In the period April to August there was a continuous decrease in the amount and size of granules stored in the gonadotropic cells. The size of the gonadotropic cell nuclei was larger in April than in the breeding season and at the end of breeding it declined further.

Phenotypic, genetic, and environmental integration of morphology in a stream population of the threespine stickleback, Gasterosteus aculeatus

1995 ◽  
Vol 52 (6) ◽  
pp. 1307-1317 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeffrey V. Baumgartner
Keyword(s):  
Natural Selection ◽  
Gasterosteus Aculeatus ◽  
Genetic Factors ◽  
Threespine Stickleback ◽  
Morphometric Traits ◽  
Genetic Determination ◽  
Functional Phenotype ◽  
Pleiotropic Mutation

Phenotypic, genetic, and environmental variances and covariances for 33 morphometric traits were estimated for a population of threespine stickleback, Gasterosteus aculeatus, from the Brush Creek drainage, California, by sib analysis of laboratory-bred families. Heritabilities of the morphometric traits ranged from −0.28 to 0.78, and were moderately low (mean h2 = 0.26); the mean and range of heritabilities for five phenotypic eigenvectors were similar. The average coefficient of genetic determination of the traits and eigenvectors was high (0.57 and 0.63, respectively), indicating a substantial genotypic contribution to variation in body morphology. The defensive complex, a functional set of bony armor structures, was genetically and environmentally integrated: genetic factors (e.g., pleiotropy) are reinforced by environmental factors to produce a functional phenotype. Other components of morphology, including body form, were environmentally, but not genetically, integrated. Given the importance of genetic factors to evolutionary change under natural selection, these results implicate natural selection in the evolution of the defensive complex; the role of natural selection in the evolution of other components of morphology is equivocal. Genetic integration of functionally (phenotypically) independent traits suggests that stochastic processes or pleiotropic mutation also have played a role in the evolution of morphology in this population of sticklebacks.

Intersexual and Intrasexual Competition and Their Relation to Jealousy

2019 ◽  
pp. 214-236
Author(s):  
Abraham P. Buunk ◽  
Karlijn Massar ◽  
Pieternel Dijkstra ◽  
Ana María Fernández
Keyword(s):  
Sex Differences ◽  
Individual Differences ◽  
Menstrual Cycle ◽  
Attachment Styles ◽  
Mate Guarding ◽  
Intrasexual Competition ◽  
Online Infidelity ◽  
Intersexual Competition

This chapter discusses sex differences in intersexual competition and describes particularly the consequences of such competition for conflict between the sexes, as well as for sex differences in mate guarding and, relatedly, in the types of infidelity that evoke jealousy, including online infidelity. It also discusses individual differences in jealousy as related to attachment styles and describes the effects of height, hormones, and the menstrual cycle on jealousy. Next, the chapter moves on to intrasexual competition and discusses, among other topics, intrasexual competition among men and among women, the role of sex differences in rival characteristics in evoking jealousy, the role of attachment styles and hormones, and individual differences in intrasexual competitiveness.

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