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Functional significance of variation in trophic morphology within feeding microhabitat-differentiated cichlid species in Lake Malawi

Functional significance of variation in trophic morphology within feeding... AbstractShape variation in trophic morphology between species in two trophic guilds (zooplankton and epilithic algal feeders) was investigated using landmark-based geometric morphometrics. Three disarticulated bone elements from the head region were examined; the neurocranium, the premaxilla and lower jaw. From separate analyses of each bone element, significant shape variation was identified between species in each trophic guild. The deformation grids generated revealed that, for the zooplankton feeders, Ctenopharynx pictus has a longer neurocranium, a longer and ventrally directed vomer, a larger orbit, a shorter ascending arm, a shorter maxillad spine, and a more compressed articular bone relative to Copadichromis borleyi. In algal feeders, Labeotropheus fuelleborni has a shorter neurocranium, a smaller orbit, a ventrally directed vomer, a longer ascending arm, a shorter dentigerous arm, increased height of the articular process, and a more elongated dentary than Petrotilapia genalutea. Observed anatomical differences are discussed in terms of function, specifically with respect to the feeding microhabitat differentiation between species in each trophic guild. These differences enable us to appreciate the role that trophic morphology plays in enhancing ecological segregation, leading to coexistence of the species. http://www.deepdyve.com/assets/images/DeepDyve-Logo-lg.png Animal Biology Brill

Functional significance of variation in trophic morphology within feeding microhabitat-differentiated cichlid species in Lake Malawi

Kassam, Daud; Adams, Dean; Yamaoka, Kosaku
Animal Biology , Volume 54 (1): 14 – Jan 1, 2004
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References (31)

Publisher
Brill
Copyright
Copyright © Koninklijke Brill NV, Leiden, The Netherlands
ISSN
1570-7555
eISSN
1570-7563
DOI
10.1163/157075604323010060
Publisher site
See Article on Publisher Site

Abstract

AbstractShape variation in trophic morphology between species in two trophic guilds (zooplankton and epilithic algal feeders) was investigated using landmark-based geometric morphometrics. Three disarticulated bone elements from the head region were examined; the neurocranium, the premaxilla and lower jaw. From separate analyses of each bone element, significant shape variation was identified between species in each trophic guild. The deformation grids generated revealed that, for the zooplankton feeders, Ctenopharynx pictus has a longer neurocranium, a longer and ventrally directed vomer, a larger orbit, a shorter ascending arm, a shorter maxillad spine, and a more compressed articular bone relative to Copadichromis borleyi. In algal feeders, Labeotropheus fuelleborni has a shorter neurocranium, a smaller orbit, a ventrally directed vomer, a longer ascending arm, a shorter dentigerous arm, increased height of the articular process, and a more elongated dentary than Petrotilapia genalutea. Observed anatomical differences are discussed in terms of function, specifically with respect to the feeding microhabitat differentiation between species in each trophic guild. These differences enable us to appreciate the role that trophic morphology plays in enhancing ecological segregation, leading to coexistence of the species.

Journal

Animal Biology – Brill

Published: Jan 1, 2004

Keywords: ALGAL FEEDERS; ZOOPLANKTON FEEDERS; CICHLIDAE; THIN-PLATE SPLINE; GEOMETRIC MORPHOMETRICS

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