Mate selection in threespine sticklebacks (Gasterosteus)

1975 ◽  
Vol 53 (4) ◽  
pp. 441-450 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. E. Hay ◽  
J. D. McPhail
Keyword(s):  
Assortative Mating ◽  
Mate Selection ◽  
Gasterosteus Aculeatus ◽  
Threespine Stickleback ◽  
Threespine Sticklebacks ◽  
Anadromous Form ◽  
Isolating Mechanism

Earlier studies suggest that the freshwater form of the threespine stickleback (Gasterosteus aculeatus) may be reproductively isolated from the anadromous form. In this study, assortative mating is examined as a possible isolating mechanism between the two forms. Mate selection tests were conducted in which (1) courting males were simultaneously exposed to receptive females of both forms, and (2) receptive females were simultaneously exposed to both forms of courting males. The results demonstrate clearly that in choice situations matings between similar phenotypes are more likely than matings between dissimilar phenotypes.

Effect of pituitary homotransplants on peripheral target organs in intact threespine sticklebacks, Gasterosteus aculeatus L. form trachurus

1970 ◽  
Vol 48 (6) ◽  
pp. 1341-1344 ◽  
Author(s):  
John F. Leatherland
Keyword(s):  
Thyroid Gland ◽  
Gasterosteus Aculeatus ◽  
Threespine Stickleback ◽  
Peripheral Target ◽  
Partial Regression ◽  
Target Organs ◽  
Threespine Sticklebacks ◽  
Anadromous Form

The activity of pituitary homotransplants in the anadromous form (trachurus) of the threespine stickleback, Gasterosteus aculeatus L. was investigated by examining the structure of the thyroid, interrenal, gonad, and in situ pituitary; the melanophore index was also measured.The thyroid gland was markedly more active and the in situ thyrotrophs more granulated in the recipient fish when compared with the sham-operated animals. Similarly, the interrenal nuclear index was slightly (but significantly) larger in the recipient fish and there was a concomitant partial regression of the in situ pituitary corticotrophs.There was no difference between the structure of the gonads in the two groups although the in situ gonadotrophs were apparently smaller and less well granulated in the recipient fish.The melanophore index was significantly lower in recipient sticklebacks.In situ prolactin-secreting cells, somatotrophs, and neurointermediate lobes were similar in recipient and sham-operated animals.

scholarly journals Diversity and sexual dimorphism in the head lateral line system in North Sea populations of threespine sticklebacks, Gasterosteus aculeatus (Teleostei: Gasterosteidae)

Zoomorphology ◽  
2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Harald Ahnelt ◽  
David Ramler ◽  
Maria Ø. Madsen ◽  
Lasse F. Jensen ◽  
Sonja Windhager
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Dimorphism ◽  
North Sea ◽  
Lateral Line ◽  
Gasterosteus Aculeatus ◽  
Sensory System ◽  
Threespine Stickleback ◽  
Lateral Line System ◽  
Line System ◽  
Marine Population ◽  
Threespine Sticklebacks

AbstractThe mechanosensory lateral line of fishes is a flow sensing system and supports a number of behaviors, e.g. prey detection, schooling or position holding in water currents. Differences in the neuromast pattern of this sensory system reflect adaptation to divergent ecological constraints. The threespine stickleback, Gasterosteus aculeatus, is known for its ecological plasticity resulting in three major ecotypes, a marine type, a migrating anadromous type and a resident freshwater type. We provide the first comparative study of the pattern of the head lateral line system of North Sea populations representing these three ecotypes including a brackish spawning population. We found no distinct difference in the pattern of the head lateral line system between the three ecotypes but significant differences in neuromast numbers. The anadromous and the brackish populations had distinctly less neuromasts than their freshwater and marine conspecifics. This difference in neuromast number between marine and anadromous threespine stickleback points to differences in swimming behavior. We also found sexual dimorphism in neuromast number with males having more neuromasts than females in the anadromous, brackish and the freshwater populations. But no such dimorphism occurred in the marine population. Our results suggest that the head lateral line of the three ecotypes is under divergent hydrodynamic constraints. Additionally, sexual dimorphism points to divergent niche partitioning of males and females in the anadromous and freshwater but not in the marine populations. Our findings imply careful sampling as an important prerequisite to discern especially between anadromous and marine threespine sticklebacks.

scholarly journals Genome Characterization, Prevalence, and Transmission Mode of a Novel Picornavirus Associated with the Threespine Stickleback Fish (Gasterosteus aculeatus)

2019 ◽  
Vol 93 (9) ◽  
Author(s):  
Megan A. Hahn ◽  
Nolwenn M. Dheilly
Keyword(s):  
Gasterosteus Aculeatus ◽  
Rna Virus ◽  
Wide Distribution ◽  
Model System ◽  
Threespine Stickleback ◽  
Tissue Samples ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Threespine Sticklebacks ◽  
The Impact

ABSTRACT The complete genome sequence of an RNA virus was assembled from RNA sequencing of virus particles purified from threespine stickleback intestine tissue samples. This new virus is most closely related to the Eel picornavirus and can be assigned to the genus Potamipivirus in the family Picornaviridae. Its unique genetic properties are enough to establish a new species, dubbed the Threespine Stickleback picornavirus (TSPV). Due to their broad geographic distribution throughout the Northern Hemisphere and parallel adaptation to freshwater, threespine sticklebacks have become a model in evolutionary ecology. Further analysis using diagnostic PCRs revealed that TSPV is highly prevalent in both anadromous and freshwater populations of threespine sticklebacks, infects almost all fish tissues, and is transmitted vertically to offspring obtained from in vitro fertilization in laboratory settings. Finally, TSPV was found in Sequence Reads Archives of transcriptome of Gasterosteus aculeatus, further demonstrating its wide distribution and unsought prevalence in samples. It is thus necessary to test the impact of TSPV on the biology of threespine sticklebacks, as this widespread virus could interfere with the behavioral, physiological, or immunological studies that employ this fish as a model system. IMPORTANCE The threespine stickleback species complex is an important model system in ecological and evolutionary studies because of the large number of isolated divergent populations that are experimentally tractable. For similar reasons, its coevolution with the cestode parasite Schistocephalus solidus, its interaction with gut microbes, and the evolution of its immune system are of growing interest. Herein we describe the discovery of an RNA virus that infects both freshwater and anadromous populations of sticklebacks. We show that the virus is transmitted vertically in laboratory settings and found it in Sequence Reads Archives, suggesting that experiments using sticklebacks were conducted in the presence of the virus. This discovery can serve as a reminder that the presence of viruses in wild-caught animals is possible, even when animals appear healthy. Regarding threespine sticklebacks, the impact of Threespine Stickleback picornavirus (TSPV) on the fish biology should be investigated further to ensure that it does not interfere with experimental results.

Differences in male courtship in freshwater and marine sticklebacks (Gasterosteus aculeatus)

1983 ◽  
Vol 61 (2) ◽  
pp. 292-297 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. D. McPhail ◽  
D. E. Hay
Keyword(s):  
British Columbia ◽  
Assortative Mating ◽  
Gasterosteus Aculeatus ◽  
Threespine Stickleback ◽  
Male Courtship ◽  
First Response ◽  
Positive Assortative Mating ◽  
First Contact

Earlier studies indicated that the freshwater and marine forms of threespine stickleback (Gasterosteus aculeatus) in the Little Campbell River are genetically differentiated and that they do not mate randomly. In this study, we examine the possible contribution of male courtship to this positive assortative mating. Marine and freshwater sticklebacks were obtained from the Little Campbell River, southwestern British Columbia. Males were allowed to build nests in large aquaria and court females. The following courtship behaviours were recorded: zigzag bouts per minute, bites per minute, fanning bouts per minute, glueing, creeping through, and the male's first response. Freshwater males zigzag more, bite less, and glue more than marine males. The intensity of courtship in freshwater males depends on the form of female courted, whereas marine males do not alter their courtship with different forms of females. Freshwater males typically zigzag on first contact with a female, and marine males usually bite. This difference in male first response is independent of the type of female courted. Differences in male courtship provide a basis for positive assortative mating between the two forms of sticklebacks. We argue that selection should favour a male first response that signals genotype.

scholarly journals Sympatric Speciation in Threespine Stickleback: Why Not?

2011 ◽  
Vol 2011 ◽  
pp. 1-15 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel I. Bolnick
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Dimorphism ◽  
Assortative Mating ◽  
Intraspecific Competition ◽  
Gasterosteus Aculeatus ◽  
Theoretical Models ◽  
Sympatric Speciation ◽  
Threespine Stickleback ◽  
Disruptive Selection ◽  
Evolutionary Diversification ◽  
Trait Variance

Numerous theoretical models suggest that sympatric speciation is possible when frequency-dependent interactions such as intraspecific competition drive disruptive selection on a trait that is also subject to assortative mating. Here, I review recent evidence that both conditions are met in lake populations of threespine stickleback (Gasterosteus aculeatus). Nonetheless, sympatric speciation appears to be rare or absent in stickleback. If stickleback qualitatively fit the theoretical requirements for sympatric speciation, why do they not undergo sympatric speciation? I present simulations showing that disruptive selection and assortative mating in stickleback, though present, are too weak to drive speciation. Furthermore, I summarize empirical evidence that disruptive selection in stickleback drives other forms of evolutionary diversification (plasticity, increased trait variance, and sexual dimorphism) instead of speciation. In conclusion, core assumptions of sympatric speciation theory seem to be qualitatively reasonable for stickleback, but speciation may nevertheless fail because of (i) quantitative mismatches with theory and (ii) alternative evolutionary outcomes.

Raiding shoal size and a distraction display in male sticklebacks (Gasterosteus)

1988 ◽  
Vol 66 (1) ◽  
pp. 201-205 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark S. Ridgway ◽  
J. D. McPhail
Keyword(s):  
Nest Predation ◽  
Species Complex ◽  
Food Source ◽  
Gasterosteus Aculeatus ◽  
Nest Site ◽  
Sympatric Species ◽  
Threespine Stickleback ◽  
Species Pairs ◽  
Threespine Sticklebacks

In threespine sticklebacks (Gasterosteus aculeatus), shoals of foraging conspecifics attack the nests of parental males and consume the offspring. This type of nest predation also occurs in lakes with sympatric species pairs of sticklebacks (Gasterosteus sp.) in which benthic stickleback shoals attack the nests of parental limnetic males. We manipulated shoal size of benthic sticklebacks in Paxton and Enos lakes to determine if there is a minimum shoal size necessary before parental limnetic males will perform the spasmodic swim display, a behaviour used by parental males to lure foraging shoals away from their nest and offspring. Males showed a significant increase in display frequency beginning with shoals of eight fish. The display occurred only when there were offspring in the nest and not when the nest was empty. We interpret the display to be a foraging deception in which parental males manipulate raiding shoals into giving up their search for a food source, causing them to leave the area of the male's nest site. This distraction display appears to be widespread within the threespine stickleback species complex.

State-Dependent Mate-Assessment and Mate-Selection Behavior in Female Threespine Sticklebacks (Gasterosteus aculeatus, Gasterosteiformes: Gasterosteidae)

Ethology ◽  
2001 ◽  
Vol 107 (6) ◽  
pp. 545-558 ◽  
Author(s):  
Barney Luttbeg ◽  
Mary C Towner ◽  
Alix Wandesforde-Smith ◽  
Marc Mangel ◽  
Susan A. Foster
Keyword(s):  
Mate Selection ◽  
Gasterosteus Aculeatus ◽  
Mate Assessment ◽  
State Dependent ◽  
Selection Behavior ◽  
Threespine Sticklebacks

scholarly journals Positive assortative mating between recently described sympatric morphs of Icelandic sticklebacks

2006 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 250-252 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gudbjörg Á Ólafsdóttir ◽  
Michael G Ritchie ◽  
Sigurdur S Snorrason
Keyword(s):  
Mate Choice ◽  
Reproductive Isolation ◽  
Assortative Mating ◽  
Gasterosteus Aculeatus ◽  
Sympatric Speciation ◽  
Threespine Stickleback ◽  
Positive Assortative Mating ◽  
Important Character ◽  
Nest Type ◽  
Sympatric Morphs

Recently, models of sympatric speciation have suggested that assortative mating can develop between sympatric morphs due to divergence in an ecologically important character. For example, in sympatric pairs of threespine stickleback ( Gasterosteus aculeatus L.) size-assortative mating seems to be instrumental in reproductive isolation. Here, we examine courtship behaviour and assortative mating of newly described sympatric stickleback morphs in Lake Thingvallavatn, Iceland. We find that the two morphs show strong positive assortative mating. However, the mechanism involved in mate choice does not seem to be as straightforward as in other similar systems of sympatric stickleback morphs and may involve variation in nest type.

Meristic Variation in the Threespine Stickleback, Gasterosteus aculeatus, in the Matamek River System, Quebec

1974 ◽  
Vol 31 (6) ◽  
pp. 1155-1157 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brian W. Coad ◽  
G. Power
Keyword(s):  
Gasterosteus Aculeatus ◽  
Low Frequency ◽  
River System ◽  
Threespine Stickleback ◽  
Meristic Characters ◽  
Fin Ray ◽  
Threespine Sticklebacks ◽  
River Sample ◽  
Meristic Variation ◽  
Gill Raker

Samples of threespine sticklebacks, Gasterosteus aculeatus, from two lakes and a river in the Matamek River system, Québec were analyzed for five meristic characters. Mean vertebral number differed for each area (range 32.00–32.85) but mean soft fin ray number showed little variation (dorsal rays 11.52–11.79, anal rays 8.68–8.76). Gill raker number was higher in the lake samples (21.25 and 21.80) than in the river sample (20.76). In Matamek Lake only semiarmatus plate morphs were found; in Bill Lake, semiarmatus and trachurus morphs in a ratio of 4:1 with about 10% intermediate; and in the lower Matamek River, semiarmatus and, at a low frequency, leiurus morphs.

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