Unusual number of pectoral fin rays in an Icelandic population of threespine stickleback (Gasterosteus aculeatus) recently isolated in freshwater

Threespine stickleback most often have 10 pectoral fin rays, and it seems to be a highly canalized trait. We observed an unusually high frequency of stickleback with 11 pectoral fin rays in a population recently isolated from the marine environment in a freshwater lagoon in Iceland. These new morpho...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Evolutionary ecology 2005-07, Vol.18 (4), p.379-384
Main Authors: Kristjánsson, Bjarni K., Skúlason, Skúli, Noakes, David L. G.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animal behavior
Fish
Gasterosteus aculeatus
Lagoons
Marine environment
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Summary:Threespine stickleback most often have 10 pectoral fin rays, and it seems to be a highly canalized trait. We observed an unusually high frequency of stickleback with 11 pectoral fin rays in a population recently isolated from the marine environment in a freshwater lagoon in Iceland. These new morphologies may be beneficial for the fish in the new habitat but may disappear because of strong canalizing selection for the typical 10 pectoral fin rays.[PUBLICATION ABSTRACT]
ISSN:0269-7653
1573-8477
DOI:10.1007/s10682-004-2679-5