A Fifteen-spined Stickleback hovering by tall seaweed which probably conceals a nest
A Fifteen-spined Stickleback hovering by his nest, with the distinctive threads just visible top left
Some literature describes the male fifteen-spined stickleback as a monogamous chap with a single female visitor, but I was intrigued to find other detailed research that paints a more complex picture. These scientists concluded that successful males can be visited by more than one egg-laying female, with their experiments showing how females prefer males with nests positioned higher up in the seaweed and also ones where more of the binding threads have been used.
Potential mothers thus ensure their precious eggs are better protected and further away from predators such as crabs. The studies also suggested that body-shaking by males during courtship demonstrates their ability to subsequently fan the nest vigorously and improve egg development.
In yet another twist, some of the males‘ sneak’ into the nests of other males and‘ steal’ fertilisations of the eggs that have been laid within. There is general
agreement that a female dies after laying and also the male dies once his duties are complete, so they have a short lifespan of little more than a year but it is packed with drama. As always, there is so much more happening in the lives of these animals than we might at first imagine. �
Paul’ s photos and video clips capturing UK marine life stories are on Instagram @ paulnaylormarinephoto
The more secretive builder, a Fifteenspined Stickleback among seaweed with the distinctive threads of his nest clearly showing top right
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