Experimental investigations of the evolutionary significance of sexually dimorphic nuptial colouration in Gasterosteus aculeatus (L.): temporal changes in the structure of the male mosaic signal

1989 ◽  
Vol 67 (7) ◽  
pp. 1767-1777 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. A. McLennan ◽  
J. D. McPhail
Keyword(s):  
Gasterosteus Aculeatus ◽  
Black Body ◽  
Evolutionary Significance ◽  
Experimental Investigations ◽  
Breeding Cycle ◽  
Sexually Dimorphic ◽  
Body Colour ◽  
Colour Intensity ◽  
Lateral Body ◽  
Blue Eyes

Although classically described as "red," the three-spined stickleback male's nuptial signal is a complex mosaic of at least three colours: blue eyes, black dorsal–lateral body, and red ventral–lateral body. Seven variables (intensity, hue, and distribution of red body colour; intensity and hue of blue eye colour; intensity and distribution of black body colour) were scored for 19 males across an entire breeding cycle. These variables interacted to produce four distinct male colour mosaic signals corresponding with the stage a male had reached in the breeding cycle. No single variable was sufficient for the delineation of all breeding stages: however, the distribution of red body colour reliably distinguished the courting male from nesting and parental males. Variability in signal intensity between courting males was greatest for the red component of the nuptial signal and both intra- and inter-male variability in the overall intensity of red was greatest during courtship. Based upon these results, future investigations of the role of intersexual selection in shaping the male nuptial signal in this species should offer females a choice between males differing in the intensity of red rather than the traditional "red" versus "nonred" dichotomy.

Experimental investigations of the evolutionary significance of sexually dimorphic nuptial colouration in Gasterosteus aculeatus (L.): the relationship between male colour and male behaviour

1989 ◽  
Vol 67 (7) ◽  
pp. 1778-1782 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. A. McLennan ◽  
J. D. McPhail
Keyword(s):  
Gasterosteus Aculeatus ◽  
Evolutionary Significance ◽  
Experimental Investigations ◽  
Sexually Dimorphic ◽  
Colour Intensity ◽  
Central Section ◽  
Medium Intensity ◽  
Group A ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Colour Signal

The intensities of red body and blue eye colour in dull (and possibly bright) males reliably signals their behavioural vigour. Males with medium intensity colouration signal that they are more vigorous than their dull conspecifics; however, there is no association between colour and behavioural intensity within this group. A truth in advertising mechanism is thus potentially very powerful at either end of the colour intensity spectrum but is less effective for fish whose colouration is in the central section of the spectrum. Males with medium intensity colouration may be more strongly influenced by stochastic factors such as previous experiences or colour relative to neighbours. The increased importance of personal history introduces a source of disorganization into the mating system that may oppose the directional force of truth in advertising and thereby increase the ambiguity of the male colour signal.

Experimental investigations of the evolutionary significance of sexually dimorphic nuptial colouration in Gasterosteus aculeatus (L.): the relationship between male colour and female behaviour

1990 ◽  
Vol 68 (3) ◽  
pp. 482-492 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. A. McLennan ◽  
J. D. McPhail
Keyword(s):  
Gasterosteus Aculeatus ◽  
Cladistic Analysis ◽  
Initial Response ◽  
Choice Test ◽  
Choice Situation ◽  
Evolutionary Significance ◽  
Experimental Investigations ◽  
Courtship Signal ◽  
Female Behaviour ◽  
High Level

Cladistic analysis of behavioural interactions during a series of female choice trials revealed three groups of reproductively unsuccessful males in a population of anadromous Gasterosteus aculeatus: inactive losers (losing male did not participate in choice test), active losers (losing male active during choice test), and fighting losers (subgroup of active losers defined by the observation that the female did not immediately follow the first male to approach her). The inactive losers group represents a "no choice" situation. In the remaining two groups, females responded preferentially to the most intensely coloured member of the competing male pair. This preferential response was strongest during the prechoice, captive presentation where the majority of females oriented head-up to, and tracked, the brighter red male. Once released, the female's initial response to the brighter courtship signal was overridden by the behavioural actions of the duller intensity male in 4 out of 12 trials. Although two of these males eventually lost the female to their rival, the remaining two individuals succeeded in spawning. Overall, 10 of 12 females spawned with the brighter red male. Given the brief breeding season and the advantage enjoyed by the most brightly coloured males in mate attraction, a high level of territorial intrusion is one way for an individual to attract a mate if he is surrounded by more intensely coloured neighbours.

Temporal changes in the structure of the male nuptial signal in the brook stickleback, Culaea inconstans (Kirtland)

1993 ◽  
Vol 71 (6) ◽  
pp. 1111-1119 ◽  
Author(s):  
Deborah A. McLennan
Keyword(s):  
Body Surface ◽  
Gasterosteus Aculeatus ◽  
Temporal Changes ◽  
Breeding Cycle ◽  
Experimental Examination ◽  
Culaea Inconstans ◽  
Signal Structure ◽  
Lateral Body ◽  
Brook Stickleback ◽  
Black Pigmentation

Within the Gasterosteidae, only members of the clade Culaea + Pungitius + Gasterosteus contain nuptially coloured males. Of these males, the nuptial signal has been subjected to detailed experimental examination in one species, the three-spined stickleback, Gasterosteus aculeatus. Since most components of the signal did not originate in G. aculeatus, descriptions of signal structure and variability for other members of the Gasterosteidae are a critical prerequisite to discussions of the processes underlying the evolution of male nuptial colouration in these fish. In this paper I investigated the changes in the male nuptial signal for another member of the clade, the brook stickleback, Culaea inconstans. The results of this investigation revealed that as in G. aculeatus, the signal is a complex mosaic, in this case representing the interaction between changes in the intensity of black pigmentation in the ventral – lateral body surface, the dorsal – lateral body surface, the eye bar, the fins, and the spines. These variables interacted to produce four distinct male colour mosaics corresponding to the stage a male had reached in the breeding cycle and the sex of an intruding conspecific.

scholarly journals Effective population size: the effects of sex, genotype, and density on the mean and variance of offspring numbers in the flour beetle, Tribolium castaneum

1980 ◽  
Vol 36 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael J. Wade
Keyword(s):  
Population Size ◽  
Effective Population Size ◽  
Tribolium Castaneum ◽  
Black Body ◽  
Body Colour ◽  
Effective Population ◽  
Flour Beetle ◽  
Colour Mutant ◽  
Mean And Variance ◽  
The Mean

SUMMARYIn this paper I present the results of an experimental study of the effects of genotype and density on the mean and variance of offspring numbers in both sexes of the flour beetle, Tribolium castaneum. From the observed variance in offspring numbers the effective population size at several different densities is estimated using the methods of Crow & Morton (1955).I found that both the mean and variance of offspring numbers varied with genotype and density. In general, males were more variable in offspring numbers than females and this variability increased with density. Individuals homozygous for the black body colour mutant, b/b, were less variable in offspring numbers than + / + individuals, but the latter produced more offspring at most densities. As density increased, + / + individuals became more variable in offspring numbers whereas b/b individuals were less sensitive in this regard. These findings are discussed in relation to the ecology of selection at the black and closely linked loci.

Telencephalon and Behaviour in Gasterosteus Aculeatus

Behaviour ◽  
1961 ◽  
Vol 18 (4) ◽  
pp. 256-287 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Segaar
Keyword(s):  
Gasterosteus Aculeatus ◽  
Reproductive Behaviour ◽  
Optimal Number ◽  
Breeding Cycle ◽  
Normal Pattern ◽  
Olfactory Bulbs ◽  
Normal Behaviour ◽  
Breeding Cycles ◽  
Thick Stratum ◽  
Building Behaviour

AbstractThe investigation concerns the problem of the function of the Telencephalon in the reproductive behaviour of Gasterosteus aculeatus males. This behaviour involves aggressive, sexual and parental activities whose strength was measured in breeding cycles some weeks or months after small parts of the Telencephalon had been removed and compared with non-operated animals. 1. Removal of the N.n. olfactorii or of the Bulbi olf. does not change the normal behaviour. 2. Removal of one complete Telencephalon-hemisphere also does not change the normal behaviour. 3. Removal of the frontal parts of the Telencephalon, including the olfactory bulbs, produces irreversible modifications in the behaviour in subsequent breeding cycles consisting of 1) significantly low Aggression, 2) Sex activity of significantly short duration and 3) significantly high Parental care. 4. Removal of the bilateral parts of the Telencephalon in a breeding cycle one month after the operation produces broadly the same modifications as after frontal operations, but after two or three months the behaviour can revert to the normal pattern. 5. After a transverse cut between the olfactory bulbs and the commissura anterior the behaviour can revert to normal in as little as one month. In other words these changes are reversible. 6. The recovery of the normal pattern is accompanied by regeneration, but is not proportional to the actual amount of tissue regenerated. It happens that recovery of the normal pattern in some days of the breeding week is accompanied by a modified pattern and a striking antagonism between the tendencies in other days. Since this runs sometimes parallel with apparent total regeneration, sometimes with partial regeneration it is probable, that architectonic structures are involved. 7. The regeneration after lateral operation is histologically visible after 42 days as a thick stratum of neuroblasts in the periphery and after 84 days as delamination of the same kind as can be observed in normal animals, and regeneration of nerve fibres. The Telencephalon of Gasterosteus males is concerned with nest-building behaviour and also with governing the relative balance of aggressive, sexual and parental behaviour. This integration is apparently of survival value, ensuring that the animals do obtain, defend and care for the optimal number of clutches per nest.

Spatial, sexual, and rapid temporal differentiation in neuromast expression on lateral plates of Haida Gwaii threespine stickleback (Gasterosteus aculeatus)

2019 ◽  
Vol 97 (11) ◽  
pp. 988-996 ◽  
Author(s):  
N.P. Planidin ◽  
T.E. Reimchen
Keyword(s):  
Gasterosteus Aculeatus ◽  
Sensory Modality ◽  
Threespine Stickleback ◽  
Predatory Fish ◽  
Limited Attention ◽  
Sexually Dimorphic ◽  
Haida Gwaii ◽  
Temporal Differentiation ◽  
Lateral Lines ◽  
Lateral Plates

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.

Replicated ecological landscapes and the evolution of morphological diversity among Gasterosteus populations from an archipelago on the west coast of Canada

2006 ◽  
Vol 84 (5) ◽  
pp. 643-654 ◽  
Author(s):  
T.E. Reimchen ◽  
P. Nosil
Keyword(s):  
Gasterosteus Aculeatus ◽  
Morphological Variability ◽  
Principal Component ◽  
Morphological Diversity ◽  
Sexually Dimorphic ◽  
Haida Gwaii ◽  
Body Depth ◽  
Eye Diameter ◽  
Freshwater Stickleback ◽  
Gill Raker

We investigated defence and trophic morphology of 40 freshwater stickleback (Gasterosteus aculeatus L., 1758) populations from the Banks–Estevan archipelago for comparison with the isolated stickleback populations from the nearby Haida Gwaii archipelago. Using 14 size-standardized metric traits and 11 meristic or categorical traits from 1706 individuals (14–54/site), we found that the first principal component (PC1) defined a defence apparatus characterized by high loadings for pelvic spine length, number of forks on the ascending process, number of lateral plates, and overlap between lateral and basal plates. The second component (PC2) defined a trophic apparatus characterized by high loadings for gape length, eye diameter, and body depth. Populations with loss of spines, loss of plates, increased gape, increased body depth, and low gill raker number were most prevalent in ponds and shallow lakes with low conductivity. Most traits were sexually dimorphic, with males exhibiting greater armature and increased benthic trophic adaptations. We observed substantially less morphological variability among Banks–Estevan stickleback populations than among the Haida Gwaii populations and one instance of common ancestry or convergence to the giant black stickleback of Haida Gwaii.

The effect of parasites on courtship dance in threespine sticklebacks: more than meets the eye?

1997 ◽  
Vol 75 (4) ◽  
pp. 589-594 ◽  
Author(s):  
Torfinn Brønseth ◽  
Ivar Folstad
Keyword(s):  
Female Choice ◽  
Gasterosteus Aculeatus ◽  
Morphological Structure ◽  
Minor Importance ◽  
Sexually Dimorphic ◽  
Underlying Assumption ◽  
Male Condition ◽  
Threespine Sticklebacks ◽  
Phenotypic Condition ◽  
Secondary Sexual

Hamilton and Zuk proposed that elaborate male secondary sexual characters have evolved through female choice because they reveal information about heritable resistance against parasites. The courtship dance of the threespine stickleback (Gasterosteus aculeatus) is a secondary sexual character that has previously been suggested to be of minor importance for female choice. We relate phenotypic condition and intensities of naturally acquired parasites of male threespine sticklebacks to the size of an important morphological structure used for movements in this species, the pectoral fin. Fin size is sexually dimorphic and is closely related to a male's condition factor. We show that, contrary to Hamilton and Zuk's original prediction, there is a positive relationship between the secondary sex trait and the intensity of prevalent parasites. We argue that the results nonetheless support the underlying assumption in Hamilton and Zuk's hypothesis, as fin size can be indicative of an individual's ability to tolerate the costs of increased parasite exposure and susceptibility. It is suggested that the courtship dance may act as an amplifier of the size of the transparent fins and consequently reveal information about male condition and parasite resistance to mate-searching females.

scholarly journals Effects of Tank Colour on Body Colour Intensity and Growth of Yellow Gourami Trichopodus trichopterus

2019 ◽  
Vol 1 (4) ◽  
pp. 9-18
Author(s):  
Asra Nor Izaty, A. ◽  
Norazmi-Lokman, N. H.
Keyword(s):  
Body Weight ◽  
Southeast Asia ◽  
The Body ◽  
Body Colour ◽  
Colour Intensity ◽  
Natural Lighting ◽  
In Captivity ◽  
Tank Colour ◽  
Ornamental Species

Yellow gourami (Trichopodus trichopterus) is a species native to Southeast Asia and is famous as ornamental species. However, hobbyists and farmers encounter problems where its body colour easily becomes faded in captivity. Since colour enhancer pellets are expensive, an experiment was performed to determine whether tank colour can influence the body colour intensity and growth of T. trichopterus. Four different tank colours (white, yellow, blue and green) with five replicates were tested where fish were kept under natural lighting (outdoor) conditions for two months. The results demonstrated that fish reared in green coloured tank showed an increment in its colour intensity while fish reared in white tanks increased its body weight. It can be concluded that tank colour does affect the body colour intensity and weight of T. trichopterus. This study will help farmers and hobbyists to solve colour fading problem using a cheaper way.

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