Relación entre morfología y segregación trófica en cuatro especies de peces simpátricas estrechamente relacionadas (Teleostei, Sciaenidae)

BLASINA G.E.; MOLINA J.M.; LOPEZ CAZORLA A.C.; DÍAZ DE ASTARLOA J.M.

San Miguel de Tucumán

Taller; I Taller de Morfología de Vertebrados: Hacia una integración de conceptos, metodología e investigadores del país?; 2015

Fac. de Cs. Exactas y Naturales de la Univ. Nac. de Tucumán e Instituto Miguel Lillo

This study explores the relationship between ecomorphology and trophic segregation in four closely related sympatric fish species (Teleostei, Sciaenidae) that are known to differ in their trophic habits. The fish were captured in Mar Chiquita coastal lagoon (Argentina) using gill nets. A total of 289 adult specimens were analyzed: 103 Cynoscion guatucupa, 77 Pogonias cromis, 61 Micropogonias furnieri and 48 Menticirrhus americanus. Despite being closely related species, the four sciaenids studied presented different ecomorphological traits related to swimming agility, prey spotting and capture, and the potential size of prey they were able to swallow. Results suggest that these four sciaenid species can partition the food resources, even though they completely overlap in space. Differences in their ecomorphological traits appear to correlate closely with the diet and consequently could explain the trophic differentiation observed. Arguably, these ecomorphological differences play a significant role in the coexistence of the adults of these sympatric fish species.