Microcosm: Three-Spined Stickleback

This is a display model for the Three-Spined Stickleback. With the advent of high-throughput sequencing, this species became a model for studying parallel evolution and local adaptation.

The model is best printed as seen in the pictures. The fish can be mounted on a 13mm (⌀ 4.6 mm) nail after the metal was carefully heated over e.g. a candle. The model of the stand has a hole for this nail.

Tips

• Consider adding superglue to stand, nail and model for maximum stability!
• Use supports
• Does bite
• Does sting

Background

The Three-Spined Stickleback Gasterosteus aculatus L. is a bone fish of the northern hemisphere. Although originally of marine origin, the species has repeatedly colonised freshwater habitats following the retreat of the last great glaciers. As a result, it has radiated into a myriad of similar populations with similar adaptations to the new environment (ecotypes) [1]. Since these adaptations repeatedly evolve de novo ( and in parallel to one-another), scientist utilise G. aculeatus as a model for parallel evolution. For this, whole-genome comparisons of different ecotypes and populations uncover genes involved in size, body armour, gland functioning, and much, much more [2].

Here you can download a life-size model of the anadromous ecotype - these stickleback yearly travel from the ocean to the rivers they spawned in.

Sources

[1] Bell & Foster 1994: The Evolutionary Biology of the Threespine Stickleback. DOI:10.2307/5902. Link.

[2] Colosimo et al. 2008: Widespread parallel evolution in sticklebacks by repeated fixation of Ectodysplasin alleles. DOI:10.1126/science.1107239. Link.