Diversification of feeding structures in three adult Antarctic nototheniid fish

Carlig, Erica; Blasi, Davide Di; Ghigliotti, Laura; Pisano, Eva; Faimali, Marco; O’Driscoll, Richard L.; Parker, Steve; Vacchi, Marino

doi:10.1007/s00300-018-2310-9

Cited by 14 publications

(18 citation statements)

References 36 publications

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“…A central assumption of ecomorphological studies is that the covariation we observe today between morphological and dietary traits is the cumulative result of previous similar adaptations over evolutionary time (Carlig et al, 2018; Motta, Norton, & Luczkovich, 1995; Ornelas‐García et al, 2018; Rohan & Buckley, 2018). The body shape of a fish is crucial to its locomotor performance, because it determines various forces, such as propulsion and viscous and inertial drag coefficient (Motta et al, 1995).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Further, the reduced competitive ability to exploit a specific resource exhibited by the more omnivorous species is compensated for by the instability and variability in the availability of different resources during the year (González‐Bergonzoni et al, 2012; Neves et al, 2018). In this regard, niche complementarity may be a key mechanism involved in the persistence and coexistence of phylogenetically close clades of fish whose species occupy similar positions in a given niche dimension but tend to differ in others (Carlig et al, 2018; Schoener, 1974) in response to environmental variability.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Morphological traits correlated with resource partitioning among small characin fish species coexisting in a Neotropical river

Delariva

Neves

2020

Ecology of Freshwater Fish

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Body shape variation should play a central role in determining the feeding ability of a fish species. We tested whether variations in feeding resource use of sympatric and closely related fish species could be explained by differences in ecologically relevant metrics, such as body morphology, trophic apparatus or combinations thereof. Fish were sampled at 14 sampling sites from Pelotas River and tributaries, Upper Uruguay, Brazil. The stomach contents of five species of Characidae (Astyanax and Bryconamericus) were analysed by the volumetric method. A geometric morphometric approach was used together with internal morphological traits to predict their patterns of prey use. Significant differences in body depth, snout and caudal peduncle lengths were found. Concomitant pronounced variations were verified to occur among species in structures related to digestion and absorption. Increased numbers of cusps, more pyloric caeca and higher intestinal coefficient values were observed in species that consumed greater proportions of plants. The opposite trends occurred in species that consumed greater proportions of insects. Mixed linear models indicated that the characin species differed significantly in the use of algae, aquatic insects, terrestrial insects, plant remains/seeds and detritus. Dietary differences reflected in low trophic niche overlap. Partial least squares regression results indicated strong correlations between morphological divergences and the corresponding variations in species diet. These outcomes combined confirm that the morphological traits that best enables the exploration of certain resource were an important factor in the resource‐related divergence and were the underlying reasons for these species' respective feeding modes.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Morphological traits correlated with resource partitioning among small characin fish species coexisting in a Neotropical river

Delariva

Neves

2020

Ecology of Freshwater Fish

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“…Based on the biomechanical characteristics, Carlig et al (2018) concluded that particulate feeding was likely the prevalent planktivory foraging mode in the Antarctic silverfish. This foraging strategy, which seems based on ram activity, is also supported by a good vision (Eastman and Lannoo 2011;La Mesa and Eastman 2012) which allows it to select single planktonic prey in the water column (Lazzaro 1987).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Both the Antarctic silverfish and polar cod differ in the number, length, and breadth of gill rakers, indicative of a differentiated adaptation to planktivory. The morphology of gill rakers in the Antarctic silverfish suggests that this species relies on filter feeding as an alternative foraging mode (Carlig et al 2018). Gill raker morphology of polar cod (numerous, longer, and narrower gill rakers than those of Antarctic silverfish) and its wider filtering surface, allows polar cod to have an even higher efficiency in retaining medium to small prey in the oral cavity than the Antarctic silverfish.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…However, despite its high potential value, the actual role of the head and jaw morphology in shaping food habits of fishes living in polar environments is poorly known (Klingenberg and Ekau 1996;Bansode et al 2014). A morphometric analysis of the feeding structures and biomechanics of three Antarctic notothenioids, including the Antarctic silverfish, was recently performed leading to a better definition of their degree of feeding specialization (Carlig et al 2018).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Midtrophic fish feeding modes at the poles: an ecomorphological comparison of polar cod (Boreogadus saida) and Antarctic silverfish (Pleuragramma antarctica)

et al. 2021

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The polar cod (Boreogadus saida) and the Antarctic silverfish (Pleuragramma antarctica) are pelagic fish endemic to the Arctic and Antarctica sea, respectively. Both species are abundant and play a central role as midtrophic wasp-waist species in polar ecosystems. Due to their biological and ecological characteristics (small size, complex life histories, relatively short generation cycles, movement capability, planktivorous diet, and importance as prey), the polar cod and the Antarctic silverfish are potentially good sentinels of ecosystem change. Changes in polar zooplankton communities are well documented. How changes impact ecosystems as a whole largely depend on the degree of diet specialization and feeding flexibility of midtrophic species. Here, we provide the ecomorphological characterization of polar cod and Antarctic silverfish feeding performances. A comparative functional ecology approach, based on the analysis of morpho-anatomical traits, including calculation of suction index and mechanical advantage in jaw closing, was applied to profile the feeding modes and flexibility of the two species. Ecomorphological evidence supports differences in food acquisition: the polar cod appears able to alternate particulate ram-suction feeding to a pump filter feeding, and the Antarctic silverfish results be both a particulate ram and a tow-net filter feeder. Both species exhibit opportunistic feeding strategies and appear able to switch feeding mode according to the abundance and size of the available prey, which is a clue of potential resilience to a changing environment.

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Sexual dimorphism in an adaptive radiation: Does intersexual niche differentiation result in ecological character displacement?

Wasiljew

Pfaender²,

Wipfler‍

et al. 2021

Ecology and Evolution

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Diversification of feeding structures in three adult Antarctic nototheniid fish

Cited by 14 publications

References 36 publications

Morphological traits correlated with resource partitioning among small characin fish species coexisting in a Neotropical river

Morphological traits correlated with resource partitioning among small characin fish species coexisting in a Neotropical river

Midtrophic fish feeding modes at the poles: an ecomorphological comparison of polar cod (Boreogadus saida) and Antarctic silverfish (Pleuragramma antarctica)

Sexual dimorphism in an adaptive radiation: Does intersexual niche differentiation result in ecological character displacement?

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