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stickleback
stickleback common name for members of the family Gasterosteidae, small fishes, widely distributed in both fresh- and saltwaters of the Northern Hemisphere. Sticklebacks range from 1 1/2 to 4 in. (3.7–10 cm) in length and lack true scales; they are equipped with short, strong spines in front of the dorsal and on the ventral fins, the number varying with the species. These are used as offensive and defensive weapons, often against other sticklebacks during the breeding season, when the male is brightly colored and pugnacious. Each male constructs a roofed nest by gluing together bits of vegetation with a sticky secretion from glands near the kidneys. Under his persuasion, several females deposit eggs in the nest, which he guards jealously until well after the young hatch. Sticklebacks feed on smaller invertebrates and on the fry and eggs of other fish. Best known are the common stickleback, Eucalia inconstans, a coastal species, and the brook stickleback, a smaller freshwater variety. Sticklebacks are classified in the phylum Chordata , subphylum Vertebrata, class Osteichthyes, order Gasterosteiformes, family Gasterosteidae. |
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"stickleback." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2011. Encyclopedia.com. 1 Jun. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "stickleback." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2011. Encyclopedia.com. (June 1, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-stickleb.html "stickleback." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2011. Retrieved June 01, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-stickleb.html |
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Gasterosteidae
Gasterosteidae (stickleback; subclass Actinopterygii, order Gasterosteiformes) A small family of marine, brackish, and freshwater fish that tend to have torpedo-shaped bodies, a small mouth, small fins, and a series of separate sharp spines on the back preceding the dorsal fin. The body is scaleless, but may possess rows of scutes at the side. The well-known Gasterosteus aculeatus (three-spined stickleback) grows to 8 cm and can live in fresh as well as salt water. Gasterosteidae are found in temperate waters of the northern hemisphere.
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Cite this article
MICHAEL ALLABY. "Gasterosteidae." A Dictionary of Zoology. 1999. Encyclopedia.com. 1 Jun. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. MICHAEL ALLABY. "Gasterosteidae." A Dictionary of Zoology. 1999. Encyclopedia.com. (June 1, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O8-Gasterosteidae.html MICHAEL ALLABY. "Gasterosteidae." A Dictionary of Zoology. 1999. Retrieved June 01, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O8-Gasterosteidae.html |
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stickleback
stickleback Small fish found in fresh, brackish, and salt water. It is usually brown and green, and may be identified by the number of spines along its sides and back. The male builds a nest of water plants, and drives the female into it. He then watches the eggs and cares for the young. Length: 8–11cm (3–4.5in). The 12 or so species include the three-spined Gasterosteus aculeatus. Family Gasterosteidae.
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"stickleback." World Encyclopedia. 2005. Encyclopedia.com. 1 Jun. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "stickleback." World Encyclopedia. 2005. Encyclopedia.com. (June 1, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O142-stickleback.html "stickleback." World Encyclopedia. 2005. Retrieved June 01, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O142-stickleback.html |
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stickleback
stick·le·back / ˈstikəlˌbak/ • n. a small fish (family Gasterosteidae) with sharp spines along its back, able to live in both salt and fresh water and found in both Eurasia and North America. Its several species include the common and widespread three-spined stickleback (Gasterosteus aculeatus). |
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Cite this article
"stickleback." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Encyclopedia.com. 1 Jun. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "stickleback." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Encyclopedia.com. (June 1, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O999-stickleback.html "stickleback." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Retrieved June 01, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O999-stickleback.html |
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stickleback
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T. F. HOAD. "stickleback." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Encyclopedia.com. 1 Jun. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. T. F. HOAD. "stickleback." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Encyclopedia.com. (June 1, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O27-stickleback.html T. F. HOAD. "stickleback." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Retrieved June 01, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O27-stickleback.html |
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stickleback
stickleback See GASTEROSTEIDAE.
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Cite this article
MICHAEL ALLABY. "stickleback." A Dictionary of Zoology. 1999. Encyclopedia.com. 1 Jun. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. MICHAEL ALLABY. "stickleback." A Dictionary of Zoology. 1999. Encyclopedia.com. (June 1, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O8-stickleback.html MICHAEL ALLABY. "stickleback." A Dictionary of Zoology. 1999. Retrieved June 01, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O8-stickleback.html |
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stickleback
stickleback
•hatchback • saddleback • camelback
•flashback, splashback
•fatback • hardback • halfback
•fastback • redback • shellback
•setback, wetback
•bareback
•payback, playback
•tailback, whaleback
•zwieback • feedback • greenback
•sweepback • leaseback • switchback
•kickback • stickleback
•slingback, wingback
•piggyback
•dieback, tieback
•fightback, right-back
•softback
•clawback, drawback
•talkback
•callback, fallback
•horseback • outback
•blowback, throwback
•rollback • yellowback • crookback
•fullback • touchback • comeback
•humpback • hunchback • cutback
•fireback • pickaback • huckaback
•Blumenbach • diamondback
•cornerback • paperback • quarterback
•razorback
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Cite this article
"stickleback." Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. Encyclopedia.com. 1 Jun. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "stickleback." Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. Encyclopedia.com. (June 1, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O233-stickleback.html "stickleback." Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. Retrieved June 01, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O233-stickleback.html |
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