The Scientist : "Big Cross" Lands Sticklebacks in the Spotlight [8/11/2004]

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"Big Cross" Lands Sticklebacks in the Spotlight

Threespine sticklebacks emerge as a model system able to uncover the genetic basis of vertebrate evolution

The Scientist 2004, 18(21):16

8 November 2004

Marine threespine sticklebacks haven't morphologically changed in an estimated 10 million years, but their freshwater offshoots show no signs of slowing down. These 5-cm-long, freshwater fish have undergone a recent evolutionary change, variably losing their calcified body armor and retractable pelvic and dorsal spines. Remarkably, isolated marine and freshwater sticklebacks can be hybridized in the laboratory, a fact that is allowing researchers to analyze the genetics behind their natural diversification.


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