Reflectance characteristics are correlated with male condition in a population of threespine stickleback (Gasterosteus aculeatus) that has lost the species typical nuptial signal

摘要: Several populations of threespine stickleback (Gasterosteus aculeatus) on the Pacific Coast North America remain drab during courtship and become melanic parental care rather than adopt species typical red signal. Male signal redness is an honest male physiological condition. Here, I test prediction that reflectance characteristics males also honestly indicate located, observed captured nesting from Brannen Lake, British Columbia, Canada. measured each male’s right after capture later its wet weight total length to calculate Fulton’s condition index, K. Males in better condition, higher K, had lower (i.e. were darker) poorer The principals underlying signaling appear be operating despite possession a novel nuptial Lake stickleback.