Population variation in brain size of nine-spined sticklebacks (Pungitius pungitius)--local adaptation or environmentally induced variation?

ABSTRACT:

Background

Most evolutionary studies on the size of brains and different parts of the brain have relied on interspecific comparisons, and have uncovered correlations between brain architecture and various ecological, behavioural and life-history traits. Yet, similar intraspecific studies are rare, despite the fact that they could better determine how selection and phenotypic plasticity influence brain architecture. We investigated the variation in brain size and structure in wild-caught nine-spined sticklebacks (Pungitius pungitius) from eight populations, representing marine, lake, and pond habitats, and compared them to data from a previous common garden study from a smaller number of populations.

Results

Brain size scaled hypo-allometrically with body size, irrespective o

SUBMITTER: Gonda A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3072340 | biostudies-literature | 2011 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature