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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
Peer reviewed article  

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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

Authors  Top 
  • Olivier, D., more
  • Gajdzik, L., more
  • Parmentier, E., more
  • Frédérich, B., more

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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