V2 Paxton Lake and Vananda Creek Stickleback Species Pairs

than 13,000 years old, they are also some of the youngest species on Earth! Due to the unique and rapid way in which Ide ntification they’ve evolved as two separate species, they are very Three-spined sticklebacks are small fish, no longer than 70mm important to scientists to better understand the biological and at maturity. [...] During Distribution mating season in the spring and early summer, male The stickleback species pairs are found in southwest BC’s sticklebacks of both species develop bright red throats and Texada Island in the Paxton Lake watershed and the Vananda blue eyes and bodies to attract females. [...] Reproductive males The Paxton Lake and Vananda Creek watershed species pairs are larger than females to better protect their nests and defend are all designated as Endangered under the Species at Risk Act their territories. [...] Largemouth and stickleback fry of both species rely on the beds for food and and Smallmouth bass (Micropterus salmoides and M. [...] Brightly coloured males will the region and have the potential to threaten stickleback perform a “zig-zag” dance and if a female shows interest, the species pairs through predation, competition for resources, male will nip at her belly and lead her to his nest.