Phenotypic plasticity of Stickleback (Gasterosteus aculeatus) populations diverged from habitat in Caspian Sea basin

Phenotypic plasticity of Stickleback (Gasterosteus aculeatus) populations diverged from habitat in Caspian Sea basin

Authors

  • Esmaeil Esmaeilzadegan Department of Fisheries, Faculty of Natural Resources, University of Tehran, Iran, Iran, Islamic Republic of
  • Soheil Eagderi Department of Fisheries, Faculty of Natural Resources, University of Tehran, Iran, Iran, Islamic Republic of
  • Aref Pirbeigi Department of Fisheries, Faculty of Natural Resources, University of Tehran, Iran, Iran, Islamic Republic of
  • Shiva Nedaei Department of Fisheries, Faculty of Natural Resources, University of Tehran, Iran, Iran, Islamic Republic of

Keywords:

Phenotypic plasticity, Habitat, Landmark, Gomishan, Babolrood

Abstract

The objective of this study is to determine the phenotypic plasticity among two populations of Stickleback (Gasterosteus aculeatus) from the Caspian Sea basin using landmark-based geometric morphometric method. A total of 101 specimens were sampled from two location of this basin including the Babolroud River (central part of the Caspian Sea basin) and the Gomishan wetland (east part of Caspian Sea basin). The left side of specimens was photographed using digital camera and 23 landmarks points were digitized on twodimensional images using TpsDig2. Landmark data after generalised procrustes analysis (GPA) were analyzed using DFA and Manova. Results displayed significant difference of body shape between to studied population (P<0.001) that were related to body and head depth, caudal peduncle length and depth. These difference revealed morphological divergence related to habitat induced due to environmental parameters.

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Published

2013-08-11

Issue

Vol. 5 No. 3 (2013)

Section

Articles

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