Variation in Reproductive Traits of Female Fourspine Stickleback (Apeltes quadracus) in Nova Scotia, Canada

Copeia ◽  
2010 ◽  
Vol 2010 (3) ◽  
pp. 437-442 ◽  
Author(s):  
John A. Baker ◽  
Jenna E. Dewey ◽  
Susan A. Foster
Keyword(s):  
Nova Scotia ◽  
Reproductive Traits ◽  
Apeltes Quadracus ◽  
Fourspine Stickleback

The adaptive significance of dorsal spine variation in the fourspine stickleback, Apeltes quadracus, I. Geographic variation in spine number

1984 ◽  
Vol 62 (7) ◽  
pp. 1329-1339 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. M. Blouw ◽  
D. W. Hagen
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Differentiation ◽  
Geographic Variation ◽  
Adaptive Significance ◽  
Maritime Provinces ◽  
Selective Agents ◽  
Apeltes Quadracus ◽  
Remarkable Result ◽  
Fourspine Stickleback ◽  
Very High Frequencies ◽  
Spine Number

The goal of our research is to investigate the adaptive significance of a polymorphism for the number of dorsal spines in Apeltes quadracus, the fourspine stickleback. One approach we take is to search for correlations between phenotypes and environments. To this end we collected Apeltes and scored environments at 570 sites in the Maritime Provinces of Canada. In this paper we describe geographic variation in spine number and evaluate how reliably it reflects genetic differentiation among sites. Morph frequencies are highly differentiated geographically. We describe four kinds of variation: relatively constant frequencies, gentle clines, steep clines, and remarkably abrupt changes (called "intrusions") where frequencies at some sites differ greatly from those at a larger number of surrounding sites. Most of the variation among sites is due to differences in the frequencies of the four- and five-spined morphs. However, a remarkable result is that the three-spined morph, which is rare or absent elsewhere in the range, reaches very high frequencies in Bras D'Or Lake. Our evidence suggests this variation among sites reflects substantial genetic differentiation. The differentiation is favorable for detecting selective agents, if indeed selection is responsible.

Helminth parasites of the fourspine stickleback (Apeltes quadracus (Mitchill)) in Newfoundland

1970 ◽  
Vol 48 (2) ◽  
pp. 404-406 ◽  
Author(s):  
George Hanek ◽  
William Threlfall
Keyword(s):  
Helminth Parasites ◽  
Digenetic Trematodes ◽  
Apeltes Quadracus ◽  
Cystidicola Farionis ◽  
Fourspine Stickleback

Fifteen specimens of the fourspine stickleback, Apeltes quadracus (Mitchill), caught in Salmonier Arm, near Mitchells Brook, St. Mary's Bay, Newfoundland, were examined for helminth parasites. Three species of monogenetic trematodes (Gyrodactylus avalonia Hanek and Threlfall, 1969; Gyrodactylus cameroni n. sp.; Gyrodactylus canadensis Hanek and Threlfall, 1969), one of digenetic trematodes (Podocotyle atomon (Rudolphi, 1802)), one of Cestoda (Proteocephalus sp.), and one of Nematoda (Cystidicola farionis Fischer, 1798) were recovered.

Ecology of the fourspine stickleback, Apeltes quadracus, with respect to a polymorphism for dorsal spine number

1981 ◽  
Vol 59 (9) ◽  
pp. 1677-1692 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. M. Blouw ◽  
D. W. Hagen
Keyword(s):  
Generation Time ◽  
Ecological Genetics ◽  
Dorsal Spine ◽  
Frequency Distributions ◽  
Time Period ◽  
Present Information ◽  
Apeltes Quadracus ◽  
Ecological Patterns ◽  
Fourspine Stickleback ◽  
Spine Number

The subject of our research is the ecological genetics of a polymorphism for dorsal spine number in Apeltes quadracus. Here we present information on its ecology and on dorsal spine variation, as background for subsequent publications.Estimating age from otoliths is subject to several serious errors, and spine sections are questionable. We have estimated generation time at about 1 year using length frequency distributions. Dorsal spine number varies from one to seven, but the four-and five-spined morphs predominate. The polymorphism is ubiquitous; where samples are available for comparisons over time, morph frequencies have remained relatively constant for at least 50 years. Sex ratio is highly variable among sites and among samples at particular sites. However, morph frequencies are independent of sex and age. Morph frequencies are homogeneous among samples taken at differing times of day, tide levels, months within a year, and among years. They are also homogeneous among microhabitats we sampled in an estuary. The relevance of these results to our subsequent publications is the following: (1) we take 1 year as the generation time, (2) sexes and ages can be pooled to estimate morph frequencies, and (3) since morph frequencies remain relatively constant, at least within the time period of our survey, comparisons of morph frequencies among sites to detect geographical and ecological patterns of variation seems valid.

Distribution of Insular Fishes of Sable Island, Nova Scotia

1969 ◽  
Vol 26 (5) ◽  
pp. 1390-1392 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. T. Garside
Keyword(s):  
Nova Scotia ◽  
Fundulus Heteroclitus ◽  
Anguilla Rostrata ◽  
Pungitius Pungitius ◽  
Brackish Waters ◽  
Apeltes Quadracus

Collections of fishes from the several bodies of fresh and brackish waters on Sable Island, Nova Scotia (60°06′W, 43°56′N), were composed variously of four euryhaline species: Fundulus heteroclitus (Cyprinodontidae), Gasterosteus wheatlandi, Apeltes quadracus, and Pungitius pungitius (Gasterosteidae). Sight records are reported for Anguilla rostrata (Anguillidae).

The adaptive significance of dorsal spine variation in the fourspine stickleback, Apeltes quadracus. II. Phenotype–environment correlations

1984 ◽  
Vol 62 (7) ◽  
pp. 1340-1350 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. M. Blouw ◽  
D. W. Hagen
Keyword(s):  
Physical Environment ◽  
Adaptive Significance ◽  
Dorsal Spine ◽  
Geographic Differentiation ◽  
Environmental Correlates ◽  
Selective Agents ◽  
Apeltes Quadracus ◽  
Geographical Position ◽  
Fourspine Stickleback ◽  
Spine Number

The fourspine stickleback (Apeltes quadracus) is polymorphic for dorsal spine number, the variation is heritable, and morph frequencies are highly differentiated geographically. Our purpose here is to determine how spines vary in relation to environment. Dorsal spine number is significantly correlated (P < 0.001) with environmental differences among sites; the environmental correlates include predators, potential competitors, vegetation, physical environment, habitat, and geographical position. Based on these correlations we hypothesize that selection by predators favours the higher spined morphs and that selection by competitors favours the lower spined morphs. The correlations with other environmental variables probably reflect interactions with predation and (or) competition, but they may be concomitants of independent and unidentified selective agents. The observed patterns of geographic variation in spine number are in agreement with those expected if predators and competitors are selective agents. We conclude that selection acts on this polymorphism; the geographic differentiation in spine number is adaptive.

The adaptive significance of dorsal spine variation in the fourspine stickleback, Apeltes quadracus. V. Temporal variation

1987 ◽  
Vol 65 (11) ◽  
pp. 2651-2657 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. M. Blouw ◽  
D. W. Hagen
Keyword(s):  
Temporal Variation ◽  
Geographic Variation ◽  
Local Equilibrium ◽  
Adaptive Significance ◽  
Pungitius Pungitius ◽  
Maritime Provinces ◽  
Ninespine Stickleback ◽  
Apeltes Quadracus ◽  
Fourspine Stickleback ◽  
Spine Number

We investigated temporal variation in polymorphisms for the number of dorsal spines in the fourspine stickleback, Apeltes quadracus, and in the ninespine stickleback, Pungitius pungitius, to complement studies based on geographic variation. The changes in spine number that occurred over a 10-year period at Daigle Inlet, New Brunswick, are small relative to geographic variation among sites in the Maritime Provinces. However, some statistically significant changes occur in both species: they take place at or near reproduction; there is no evidence that they are related to selection by predators or any other environmental factor that we measured; and they tend to be followed by reversals that damp the net change. Contrary to expectation, based on spatial relationships, spine numbers in A. quadracus and P. pungitius do not covary predictably over time. The results show that events at or near reproduction play a role in determining local morph frequencies. Our main finding is that spine number is surprisingly stable for both species, and we conclude that it is constrained to local equilibrium values.

scholarly journals Heritability of dorsal spines in the fourspine stickleback (Apeltes quadracus)

Heredity ◽  
1983 ◽  
Vol 50 (3) ◽  
pp. 275-281 ◽  
Author(s):  
D W Hagen ◽  
D M Blouw
Keyword(s):  
Apeltes Quadracus ◽  
Fourspine Stickleback

The glochidia of certain Unionidae (Mollusca) in Nova Scotia and their fish hosts

1975 ◽  
Vol 53 (1) ◽  
pp. 33-41 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Wiles
Keyword(s):  
Nova Scotia ◽  
Fish Species ◽  
Host Species ◽  
Gasterosteus Aculeatus ◽  
Catostomus Commersoni ◽  
Pungitius Pungitius ◽  
Apeltes Quadracus ◽  
Early Fall ◽  
Fish Hosts ◽  
Nova Scotian

Morphological and morphometric comparisons among adult and glochidial unionids from two Nova Scotian locations showed that Anodonta implicata, A. cataracta cataracta, A. c. fragilis, Elliptio complanatus, and Lampsilis radiata radiata were present. Gravidity studies suggested that fully developed glochidia occur from September to May in Anodonta marsupia, for only 5–6 weeks in June and July in E. complanatus, and perhaps at least from spring to early fall in L. r. radiata. Seven of 12 fish species sampled bore glochidia, which were identified in five host species by comparisons of their shapes and dimensions with those of glochidia from adult clams. Results were as follows: A. c. cataracta in Catostomus commersoni in June only, A. implicata or A. c. cataracta in Gasterosteus aculeatus in May and June, Anodonta sp. in Apeltes quadracus and Pungitius pungitius in June, and E. complanatus in Fundulus diaphanus in June and July. Thus, no relationships between gravidity periods of adult clams and infestation periods of their fish hosts by their glochidia were evident for species of Anodonta.

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