Research in Stickleback Fish

Research in Stickleback Fish

benthic

limnetic

MALES FEMALES

What’s different between the species?

Limnetic Fish Benthic FishSize Smaller Larger

Shape Slim-bodied Deep-bodied

Male breeding color Blue & Red Black

benthic

limnetic

Limnetic Fish Benthic FishSize Smaller Larger

Shape Slim-bodied Deep-bodied

Male breeding color Blue & Red Black

Prey Plankton Worms & Insects

Feeding habitat Open water Lake bottom

Limnetic Fish Benthic FishSize Smaller Larger

Shape Slim-bodied Deep-bodied

Male breeding color Blue & Red Black

Prey Plankton Worms & Insects

Feeding habitat Open water Lake bottom

Limnetic Fish Benthic FishSize Smaller Larger

Shape Slim-bodied Deep-bodied

Male breeding color Blue & Red Black

Prey Plankton Worms & Insects

Feeding habitat Open water Lake bottom

Limnetic Fish Benthic FishPrey Plankton Worms & Insects

Feeding habitat Open water Lake bottom

Size Smaller Larger

Shape Slim-bodied Deep-bodied

Male breeding color Blue & Red Black

Breeding habitat Open, Shallow Vegetation, Deeper

Females search for mates in specific habitats-Limnetic females search for limnetic males in

open habitat- Benthic females search for benthic males in

vegetated habitat

When vegetation is present . . .

Limnetic Fish Benthic Fish

Prey Plankton Worms & Insects

Feeding habitat Open water Lake bottom

Size Smaller Larger

Shape Slim-bodied Deep-bodied

Male breeding color Blue & Red Black

Breeding habitat Open, Shallow Vegetation, Deeper

If all the vegetation is lost, what might change?

When vegetation is present . . .

Limnetic Fish Benthic Fish

Prey Plankton Worms & Insects

Feeding habitat Open water Lake bottom

Size Smaller Larger

Shape Slim-bodied Deep-bodied

Male breeding color Blue & Red Black

Breeding habitat Open, Shallow Vegetation, Deeper

If all the vegetation is lost, what might change?

Questions:

1) Where will benthic and limnetic males nest?

2) How will benthic and limnetic females find mates if vegetation is missing?

Questions:

1) Where will benthic and limnetic males nest?

2) How will benthic and limnetic females find mates if vegetation is missing?

Where will limnetic males and benthic males build their nests?

VEGETATIONOPEN

OPEN OPEN

Where will limnetic males and benthic males build their nests?

VEGETATIONOPENWe predict that benthic maleswill nest in vegetation and limnetic males will nest in the open

Where will limnetic males and benthic males build their nests?

VEGETATIONOPENWe predict that benthic maleswill nest in vegetation and limnetic males will nest in the open

OPEN OPENWhat do you predict?

Where will limnetic males and benthic males build their nests?

VEGETATIONOPENWe predict that benthic maleswill nest in vegetation and limnetic males will nest in the open

OPEN OPENIt turns out thatBenthic males are very aggressive. They keep limnetic males from building nests.

Questions:

1) Where will benthic and limnetic males nest?

2) How will benthic and limnetic females find mates if vegetation is missing?

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