The role of acoustic cues in the breeding repertoire of the brook stickleback

Abstract

Sticklebacks are used as a model system in behavioral and evolutionary research, and therefore it is important to have a complete understanding of their biology. Despite this, the presence of acoustic signals has never been explored. This study examines acoustic cues in brook sticklebacks during courtship, spawning, egg guarding, and fry guarding. Although some fish produce sounds during spine flaring, results of this experiment showed that brook sticklebacks do not. Females did produce incidental sounds while depositing eggs in the nest. However, these were low intensity and seem unlikely to be heard over background noise.