Evolution and diversity of ram-suction feeding in damselfishes (Pomacentridae)
Olivier, D.; Gajdzik, L.; Parmentier, E.; Frédérich, B. (2017). Evolution and diversity of ram-suction feeding in damselfishes (Pomacentridae). Org. Divers. Evol. 17(2): 497-508. https://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s13127-017-0329-3 In: Organisms Diversity & Evolution. Elsevier: Heidelberg. ISSN 1439-6092; e-ISSN 1618-1077, more |  |
| Keywords | Marine Sciences
Marine Sciences > Marine Sciences General
Scientific Community
Scientific Publication
Marine/Coastal | | Author keywords | Cerato-mandibular ligament; Evolutionary morphology; Specialization;Reef fishes; Zooplanktivory |
| Project | Top | Authors | - Association of European marine biological laboratories, more
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| Abstract | The cerato-mandibular (c-md) ligament is a synapomorphy within Pomacentridae that creates a tight link between the lower jaws and the hyoid bars. However, this morphological trait has been secondarily lost in multiple lineages during evolution. A previous study revealed that the loss of this trait acted as a release of evolutionary constraints, leading to a cascade of morphological changes such elongated buccal jaws and a slender body. Ecomorphological interpretations suggested the loss of the c-md ligament has ultimately led to a new adaptive peak in zooplanktivory through an optimization of the ram feeding mode associated with a specialization in pelagic feeding. Here, we tested these hypotheses by comparing functional and diet diversity between damselfish species with and without the c-md ligament. Although species lacking the c-md ligament presented a conserved kinematic pattern resulting from high ram and low suction performances, our results did not support an optimization of the ram feeding mode. Indeed, some species with the c-md ligament showed the same or exceeded the ram performance of species without the c-md ligament. The species with the c-md ligament had a more diverse kinematic pattern exploring the entire ram-suction functional range in damselfishes. Finally, our results did not show any diet variations associated with the loss of the c-md ligament. Our study furthers the understanding of how a morphological trait has shaped, by its presence or absence, the ecomorpho-functional diversification of Pomacentridae. |
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