Meristic variation of the three-spined stickleback from a Small Like (Karelian Coast, White Sea)

Abstract

Data on the variability of meristic characters in three-spined stickleback from Starushechije Lake (Karelian coast, the White Sea) were obtained. The lateral plate number in fishes from this freshwater population varied from 4 to 16 with mean value (±SE) 8.7±0.37. Caudal set of plates forming a keel was detected in 96% of analyzed specimens. This phenotype of stickleback (low plated with a keel) was observed in the northeastern part of the European range for the first time. The three-spined stickleback from Starushechije Lake differed significantly by the fin rays numbers from the low plated sticklebacks inhabiting Lobanezhskoe and Svyatoe lakes (Velikiy Island, Kandalaksha Bay, White Sea) and by vertebrae number from Svyatoe Lake stickleback.