Public aquarium as a key partner for taxonomic studies, an example with French nine-spined sticklebacks Pungitius spp. (Teleostei, Gasterosteiformes)

Nine-spined sticklebacks Pungitius spp., like other gasterosteids, display a sexual dimorphism, which is characterised by a colouration change for males during the breeding season. The aim of this study was to describe the male nuptial colouration pattern of two nine-spined stickleback species occurring in France: Pungitius vulgaris and Pungitius laevis, using public aquarium facilities. Our results revealed that male nuptial colouration patterns are distinctive and valuable for taxonomic studies of this genus. In comparison to all male nuptial colouration patterns of the other Pungitius, P. vulgaris is characterised by a body with greenish vermiculations on the back, yellow-greenish flanks, a black belly from the chin to the caudal peduncle (vs. brown-greenish or black vermiculations on the back and a black belly from the chin to the anal spine, or body totally black). In contrast P. laevis displays a body with brown-greenish vermiculations on the back, black belly from the chin to the anal spine (vs. greenish or black vermiculations on the back, yellow-greenish flanks, a black belly from the chin to the caudal peduncle, or body totally black), brown-greenish dorsal spines (vs. greenish, black or blue), its black pelvic spines with white tips (vs. totally black or white), yellow hyaline fins (vs. hyalines, dark or black) and yellow eyes (vs. orange). This study provided the first live traits data for the endemic species P. vulgaris. At last, we also discussed the key role of public aquariums for taxonomic studies.