Primary Assay — Three-Spined Stickleback
Aggression (Red Belly Display)
Gasterosteus aculeatus
Male sticklebacks defend territories with escalating aggressive displays. Bite frequency, display frequency, and defense latency quantify territorial aggression, a key fitness-related trait.
Quantitative Output
Measured Parameters
Every parameter is automatically tracked frame-by-frame in the ConductVision pipeline for Gasterosteus aculeatus.
| Parameter | Unit | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Bite frequency | bites/min | Direct attack rate |
| Display frequency | events/min | Lateral + frontal threats |
| Territory defense latency | s | Response to intruder |
| Escalation level | ordinal | Approach → display → bite → chase |
References
Citations for Aggression (Red Belly Display)
- Wootton RJ. (2009). The Darwinian stickleback Gasterosteus aculeatus: a history of evolutionary studies. J Fish Biol, 75(8), 1919-1942. PMID: 20738663
Compatible Equipment
Hardware for Three-Spined Stickleback Research
Courtship Observation Arena
Zigzag dance recording
Territorial Arena with Model
Aggression testing
Shoaling Tank
Group behavior tracking
Novel Object/Environment Setup
Boldness testing
Predator Model System
Inspection behavior analysis
Related Assays
Other Three-Spined Stickleback Primary Assays
05
Courtship (Zigzag Dance)
Gasterosteus aculeatus
The zigzag dance is the iconic stickleback courtship display. Zigzag frequency, nest-leading latency, female following p…
05
Shoaling
Gasterosteus aculeatus
Stickleback shoaling behavior provides measures of social cohesion and group dynamics. Inter-individual distance, shoal …
05
Boldness-Exploration Syndrome
Gasterosteus aculeatus
Sticklebacks exhibit correlated suites of behavior (syndromes) where boldness, exploration, and aggression covary consis…
Run Aggression (Red Belly Display) on ConductVision
Our team will configure the protocol, camera rig, and analysis pipeline for your three-spined stickleback facility.
