Occurrence of four‐spined Gasterosteus aculeatus in an isolated Croatian river population |
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| Authors: | L N Zanella D Zanella M Mrakov^i? M Mileti? P Mustafi? M ?aleta |
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| Institution: | Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, University of Zagreb, Rooseveltov trg 6, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia |
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| Abstract: | An isolated population of the three‐spined stickleback Gasterosteus aculeatus in Croatia was found to have a high incidence of specimens either having a fourth dorsal spine or showing remnants of a fourth spine. Juvenile individuals showed a 9·4% incidence of a fourth spine. The population was examined for asymmetry of the skeletal defensive complex in order to determine whether the additional spine could be the result of developmental instability, a response to predation or environmental conditions. |
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| Keywords: | asymmetry River Mirna |
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