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Gasterosteus islandicus Sauvage, 1874 |
| Family: | Gasterosteidae (Sticklebacks and tubesnouts) | |||
| Max. size: | 5.5 cm SL (male/unsexed) | |||
| Environment: | benthopelagic; freshwater | |||
| Distribution: | Europe: Iceland. Some populations in Norway and northern Finland with low scute number possibly refer to this species. | |||
| Diagnosis: | Distinguished uniquely from congeners in Europe by having a deep notch on the anterior margin of pelvic girdle. Differs further from other members of the genus by having the following combination of characters: trunk with 2-15 scutes; and scutes forming a lateral keel on caudal peduncle or keel absent. Morphological differences are reported in several lakes between individuals occurring in different substrates (mud, lava), especially in Lake Thingvalla (Ref. 59043). | |||
| Biology: | Adults inhabit streams and lakes (Ref. 59043). Males build, guard and aerate the nest where the eggs are deposited (Ref. 205). | |||
| IUCN Red List Status: | Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 14 December 2022 Ref. (130435) | |||
| Threat to humans: | harmless | |||