Ecomorphology Relationships between morphology and life history

Ecomorphology Studying morphology and how it relates to ecology

Ecomorphology Swimming ability & habitat Trophic ecomorphology Anti-predation anatomy

Swimming ability Body shape Dorsal/anal Fin placement and length Caudal fin Keeled body

Swimming ability

Habitat preference Where in the water column a fish lives – Benthic – Mid-water – Top-water What type of general habitat –Lentic – Low current, lakes & ponds –Lotic – Moving water, streams & rivers

Benthic Fishes

Benthic fishes

Mid-water fishes

Top-water fishes

Trophic ecomorphology Gill rakers Mouth Pharyngeal teeth Swimming ability

Gill Rakers

Mouth size

Mouth structure

Anti-predation morphology

Niche partitioning Niche – Optimal Vs. Realized –One or more resources Fish with a similar body structure may still utilize different resources –e.g., Lepomis and Etheostoma Helps to reduce competition Increases diversity

Niche partitioning All look alike, what would you expect to be the life history of this group? How can they co-exist? –Use different habitats – depth, current, substrate, longitudinal section of stream/river –Feed on different food types –Feed on different food sizes –Perhaps reducing competition

Niche Partitioning Sunfish Examples of niche partitioning –E. flabellare = widest mouth, trophic generalist, slower currents Fantail darter –E. podostemone = feed mostly on chironomid larvae –P. roanoka = smaller mouth, trophic generalist, swift current

E. blennioides E. flabellare E. nigrum