Abstract
RarelyGasterosteus aculeatuspopulations occur where many individuals have lost their protective dorsal spines, ventral spines, pelvic girdle and lateral bony plates. Reduction in predation pressure is currently viewed as the causative factor.On the lsle of North Uist (Outer Hebrides) 10 spine‐deficientG. aculeatuspopulations, sympatric with various fish and bird predators are described. All of the spine‐deficient morph sticklebacks are found in acidic oligotrophic peat moorland lakes and pools where Ca2+is ≤ 2.5 mg/1. It is proposed that calcium deficiency may have been an important selective agency in the evolution of skeletal reduction in these unusual populations.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
