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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Mar 28, 2026

Assays to Detect UV-reflecting Structures and Determine their Importance in Mate Preference using the Sailfin Molly Poecilia latipinna

Assays to Detect UV-reflecting Structures and Determine their Importance in Mate Preference using the Sailfin Molly Poecilia latipinna

Published on: September 14, 2016

Context-dependent dynamic UV signaling in female threespine sticklebacks.

Meike Hiermes¹, Theo C M Bakker¹, Marion Mehlis¹

¹Institute for Evolutionary Biology and Ecology, University of Bonn, An der Immenburg 1, 53121 Bonn, Germany.

Scientific Reports

|December 15, 2015

Summary

Female three spine sticklebacks dynamically change their ultraviolet (UV) signals, particularly on their abdomen, during egg maturation and in response to male courtship. This dynamic UV signaling plays a role in reproductive communication.

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Last Updated: Mar 28, 2026

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Area of Science:

Animal behavior
Evolutionary biology
Animal communication

Background:

Color signals, including ultraviolet (UV) signals, are common in animals and can change with reproductive state.
Dynamic changes in UV signaling are understudied, especially in female fish.
Three spine sticklebacks (Gasterosteus aculeatus) exhibit intraspecific UV communication.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate dynamic UV signaling in female three spine sticklebacks.
To examine context-dependent color changes in relation to reproductive status and male presence.
To quantify UV signal changes and their perception by conspecifics.

Main Methods:

Reflectance measurements of the abdomen and dorsal region in female sticklebacks.
Scans conducted during egg maturation and before/after male stimulation.
Application of a physiological vision model to assess conspecific perception and quantify chromatic contrasts.

Main Results:

Females showed increased abdominal UV intensity during egg maturation and in response to male courtship.
Chromatic contrast between the abdomen and dorsal region, and abdomen and background, also increased.
These changes were significant during egg maturation and male stimulation.

Conclusions:

Female three spine sticklebacks exhibit dynamic UV signaling in a reproductive context.
Changes in UV intensity and chromatic contrast signal female fecundity and readiness to spawn.
UV signaling is a crucial component of reproductive communication in this species.