Specialized morphology for a generalist diet: evidence for Liem's Paradox in a cichlid fish

Binning, Sandra A.; Chapman, Lauren J.; Cosandey-Godin, Aurélie

doi:10.1111/j.1095-8649.2009.02421.x

Cited by 36 publications

(46 citation statements)

References 42 publications

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“…This may have different reasons. Trophic niche differentiation might be restricted to certain periods of increased competition, a phenomenon revealed, for example, in cichlids (Binning et al. , 2009).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Adaptive speciation and sexual dimorphism contribute to diversity in form and function in the adaptive radiation of Lake Matano’s sympatric roundfin sailfin silversides

Pfaender

Miesen

Hadiaty

et al. 2011

J of Evolutionary Biology

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The utility of traits involved in resource exploitation is a central criterion for the adaptive character of radiations. Here, we test for differentiation in morphology, jaw mechanics and nutrition among species and sexes of Lake Matano’s sympatric ‘roundfin’ sailfin silversides. The three incipient fish species differ significant in several candidate traits for adaptation following ecological selection pressure, corresponding to contrasting jaw mechanics and distinct patterns in food resource use. These findings are consistent with functional adaptation and suggest divergence following alternative modes of feeding specialization. Further, intersexual resource partitioning and corresponding adaptation in jaw mechanics is evident in two of the three incipient species, demonstrating that sexual dimorphism contributes to the ecomorphological and trophic diversity of the emerging radiation. This is, to the best of our knowledge, the first study reporting interspecific as well as intersexual adaptation by alternative modes of form and function in an evolving fish species flock.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Adaptive speciation and sexual dimorphism contribute to diversity in form and function in the adaptive radiation of Lake Matano’s sympatric roundfin sailfin silversides

Pfaender

Miesen

Hadiaty

et al. 2011

J of Evolutionary Biology

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“…In particular, they (and some other colobines, Kirkpatrick 1999) appear to be prime examples of Liem’s Paradox—first identified in cichlid fishes, this is the odd coupling of specialized anatomical features related to diet with a “jack of all trades,” or generalist, feeding strategy (Liem 1980:295; Binning et al 2009). According to foraging theory, extreme specializations—such as those colobines possess to process high-fiber foods such as mature leaves or bark—can evolve for exploiting foods of low profitability that, while ignored during times of plenty, are critical for survival in periods of dearth (Robinson and Wilson 1998).…”

Section: Specialization Generalization Liem’s Paradox and The Notimentioning

confidence: 99%

On folivory, competition, and intelligence: generalisms, overgeneralizations, and models of primate evolution

Sayers

2012

Primates

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Considerations of primate behavioral evolution often proceed by assuming the ecological and competitive milieus of particular taxa via their relative exploitation of gross food types, such as fruits versus leaves. Although this “fruit/leaf dichotomy” has been repeatedly criticized, it continues to be implicitly invoked in discussions of primate socioecology and female social relationships, and explicitly invoked in models of brain evolution. An expanding literature suggests that such views have severely limited our knowledge of the social and ecological complexities of primate folivory. This paper examines the behavior of primate folivore-frugivores, with particular emphasis on gray langurs (traditionally, Semnopithecus entellus) within the broader context of evolutionary ecology. Although possessing morphological characters that have been associated with folivory and constrained activity patterns, gray langurs are known for remarkable plasticity in ecology and behavior. Their diets are generally quite broad and can be discussed in relation to “Liem’s paradox,” the odd coupling of anatomical feeding specializations with a generalist foraging strategy. Gray langurs, not coincidentally, inhabit arguably the widest range of habitats for a nonhuman primate, including high elevations in the Himalayas. They provide an excellent focal point for examining the assumptions and predictions of behavioral, socioecological, and cognitive evolutionary models. Contrary to the classical descriptions of the primate folivore, Himalayan and other gray langurs—and, in actuality, many leaf eating primates—range widely and engage in resource competition (both of which have previously been noted for primate folivores) as well as solve ecological problems rivaling those of more frugivorous primates (which has rarely been argued for primate folivores). It is maintained that questions of primate folivore adaptation, temperate primate adaptation, and primate evolution more generally cannot be answered by the frequent approach of broad characterizations, categorization models, crude variables, weakly correlative evidence, and subjective definitions. As a corollary, many current avenues of study are inadequate for explaining primate adaptation. A true understanding of primate ecology can only be achieved through the utilization of mainstream evolutionary ecology, and thorough linkage of both proximate and ultimate mechanisms.

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“…This phenomenon is referred to commonly as ''phylogenetic inertia''-although the concept has meant different things to different workers (see Blomberg and Garland [2002] for a review)-and it may be rooted in pleiotropy, genetic linkage, or developmental pathways that can impose phylogenetic constraints (Cheverud, 1988;Reeve and Sherman, 1993;Hanson and Orzack, 2005). This seemingly contradictory phenomenon, which has been dubbed ' 'Liem's Paradox,'' highlights inconsistencies between trophic morphologies that are identified as adaptive and ecological observations (Robinson and Wilson, 1998;Liem and Summers, 2000;Lambert et al, 2004;Binning et al, 2009). This seemingly contradictory phenomenon, which has been dubbed ' 'Liem's Paradox,'' highlights inconsistencies between trophic morphologies that are identified as adaptive and ecological observations (Robinson and Wilson, 1998;Liem and Summers, 2000;Lambert et al, 2004;Binning et al, 2009).…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Dental microwear and stable isotopes inform the paleoecology of extinct hominins

Grine

Sponheimer

Ungar

et al. 2012

American J Phys Anthropol

120

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Determining the diet of an extinct species is paramount in any attempt to reconstruct its paleoecology. Because the distribution and mechanical properties of food items may impact postcranial, cranial, mandibular, and dental morphologies related to their procurement, ingestion, and mastication, these anatomical attributes have been studied intensively. However, while mechanical environments influence skeletal and dental features, it is not clear to what extent they dictate particular morphologies. Although biomechanical explanations have been widely applied to extinct hominins in attempts to retrodict dietary proclivities, morphology may say as much about what they were capable of eating, and perhaps more about phylogenetic history, than about the nature of the diet. Anatomical attributes may establish boundary limits, but direct evidence left by the foods that were actually (rather than hypothetically) consumed is required to reconstruct diet. Dental microwear and the stable light isotope chemistry of tooth enamel provide such evidence, and are especially powerful when used in tandem. We review the foundations for microwear and biogeochemistry in diet reconstruction, and discuss this evidence for six early hominin species (Ardipithecus ramidus, Australopithecus anamensis, Au. afarensis, Au. africanus, Paranthropus robustus, and P. boisei). The dietary signals derived from microwear and isotope chemistry are sometimes at odds with inferences from biomechanical approaches, a potentially disquieting conundrum that is particularly evident for several species.

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Specialized morphology for a generalist diet: evidence for Liem's Paradox in a cichlid fish

Cited by 36 publications

References 42 publications

Adaptive speciation and sexual dimorphism contribute to diversity in form and function in the adaptive radiation of Lake Matano’s sympatric roundfin sailfin silversides

Adaptive speciation and sexual dimorphism contribute to diversity in form and function in the adaptive radiation of Lake Matano’s sympatric roundfin sailfin silversides

On folivory, competition, and intelligence: generalisms, overgeneralizations, and models of primate evolution

Dental microwear and stable isotopes inform the paleoecology of extinct hominins

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