Some effects of low oxygen tensions on the distribution of the three‐spined stickleback <i>Gasterosteus aculeatus</i> L. and the nine‐spined stickleback <i>Pungitius pungitius</i> (L.)

Abstract

During extensive sampling of populations of sticklebacks for parasites, it became apparent that marked differences existed in the distribution of the 2 British freshwater species. Observation of the survival, respiratory rates and distribution of three‐ and nine‐spined sticklebacks from a variety of habitats supports the suggestion that physiologically, the nine‐spined stickleback is much better adapted to life in closed, shallow, weedy, eutrophic waters, depleted in oxygen. By comparison, Gasterosteus aculeatus favours more open well oxygenated water.