Monthly Archives: April 2009

Stickleblog: What happens when you put a stickleback and a trout together?

Posted on April 24, 2009 by sticklematt

One of the most striking features of marine stickleback is the row of bony armor plates that run along the side of the body. These “armor plates” are actually enlarged and ossified lateral line scales, and they’re a unique feature … Continue reading →

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Dechronization interviews Joe Felsenstein

Posted on April 23, 2009 by sticklematt

Just in case anyone is reading this blog who is not also reading Dechronization, I have two things to say. First, what is wrong with you? Second, Luke Harmon and Dan Rabosky just posted a great interview of Joe Felsenstein, … Continue reading →

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Stickleblog: Spotlight on Aulorhynchus flavidus

Posted on April 17, 2009 by sticklematt

(Image courtesy of Wikipeda) In past entries, I’ve made reference to the tubesnout(Aulorhynchus flavidus), an odd little creature that’s closely related to the sticklebacks. Tubesnouts are currently part of the family Aulorhynchidae, sister group to the Gasterosteidae(sticklebacks). Unlike the stickleback-sygnathiform … Continue reading →

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Stickleblog: Spines hurt, according to predators

Posted on April 10, 2009 by sticklematt

One of the distinguishing features of sticklebacks is that instead of having pelvic and dorsal fins, they have serrated bony spines that the fish can lock into place(more on the locking in a later entry). Why would evolution result in … Continue reading →

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Stickleblog: Plastic stickleback

Posted on April 3, 2009 by sticklematt

When I was an undergraduate at UNC, I worked in the Pfennig lab on spadefoot toads, which exhibit a striking form of polyphenism. Polyphenism occurs when one genotype can produce multiple phenotypes in response to environmental conditions. As it turns … Continue reading →

Posted in blogging on peer-reviewed research, plasticity, stickleback | Leave a comment