Misty Lake Sticklebacks (Gasterosteus aculeatus): residence description

1 Introduction

SARA states that

“No person shall damage or destroy the residence of one or more individuals of a wildlife species that is listed as an endangered species or a threatened species, or that is listed as an extirpated species if a recovery strategy has recommended the reintroduction of the species into the wild in Canada.” [section 33]

Also, SARA defines “residence” as:

“a dwelling-place, such as a den, nest or other similar area or place, that is occupied or habitually occupied by one or more individuals during all or part of their life cycles, including breeding, rearing, staging, wintering, feeding or hibernating.” [subsection 2(1)]

Sections 2 and 3 below provide a description of a residence for Misty Lake Sticklebacks. The information in these sections was adapted from the “Recovery Strategy for the Misty Lake Sticklebacks (Gasterosteus aculeatus) in Canada” (DFO 2018). The geographic distribution of Misty Lake Sticklebacks is described in the recovery strategy for this species (DFO 2018).

2 Structure, form and investment

Due to the dark colour of the lake and streams, it is difficult to know exactly where the Misty Lake Sticklebacks (Gasterosteus aculeatus) build their nests. Breeding activity occurs in the lake and streams of the Misty Lake system; however gravid females of both the inlet stream and lake populations were collected in the inlet swampy transition zone (McPhail 1994).

Based on nesting behavior described for a similar stickleback in Mayer Lake (Moodie 1984) it is assumed that males of the lake population of Misty Lake Sticklebacks build nests in shallow areas characterized by sand substrate, gentle gradient and underwater vegetation (COSEWIC 2006). No nests have been observed in the stream; however, an experiment by Raeymaekers et al. (2009) found that the nests built by the lotic form were less bulky and more often built on gravel substrate rather than sand compared to the nests built by the lentic form. Furthermore, comparing nesting behavior of stream stickleback on Little Campbell River (McPhail 1994), it can be assumed that the stream populations of the Misty Lake Stickleback likely utilizes stream habitats with fine substrate, no current and heavy vegetation.

3 Occupancy and life-cycle function

Misty Lake Sticklebacks begin reproductive activity in April and finish in July based on catches of gravid females between the months of May and June (COSEWIC 2006). Both forms of the male Misty Lake Stickleback build nests, and provide parental care by fanning the nest during incubation and until the juveniles are able to move to cover and feed (COSEWIC 2006). Based on similar sticklebacks studied in Mayer Lake (Moodie 1972) males probably complete about five nesting cycles during a single breeding season before dying, however another lake form of stickleback in Drizzle Lake can live well beyond its first breeding season (Reimchen 1992). The nests created and used by the Misty Lake Sticklebacks for spawning and early stages of rearing represent a discrete dwelling place requiring a significant investment in their creation and maintenance by the male sticklebacks. The nests have the functional capacity to support successful spawning and hatching and they are occupied during the life-stages of adult, egg and juvenile hatch. As such, nests are considered a residence for the Misty Lake Sticklebacks during the time they are occupied by the male through the spawning period, while incubating the eggs and protecting the juveniles after they have hatched and until they leave the nest, and until the male has finished all its nesting cycles.

4 References