1
|
Oufiero CE, Garikipati L, McMillan E, Katherine Sullivan M, Turnbaugh R. Modulation of prey capture kinematics in relation to prey distance helps predict success. J Exp Biol 2024; 227:jeb247311. [PMID: 38785337 PMCID: PMC11213525 DOI: 10.1242/jeb.247311] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2024] [Accepted: 05/15/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024]
Abstract
Predators are not perfect, as some of their prey capture attempts result in failure. Successful attempts may be partly due to predators modulating their capture kinematics in relation to variation in the visual cues of the prey to increase the probability of success. In praying mantises, which have been suggested to possess stereoscopic vision, variation in prey distance has been shown to elicit variation in the probability of an attempt. However, it remains to be examined whether variation in prey distance results in mantises modulating their attempt to successfully capture prey. The goals of this study were to examine these relationships using the praying mantis system. Using 11 adult female Sphodromantis lineola, we recorded 192 prey capture attempts at 1000 Hz with two cameras to examine the 3D kinematics of successful and unsuccessful prey capture attempts. Using a combination of principal component analysis (PCA) and logistic regression, our results show that as prey distance increases, mantises adjust through greater and faster expansion of the forelegs and body (PC1), which significantly predicts capture success. However, PC1 only explains 22% of the variation in all prey capture attempts, suggesting that the other components may be related to additional aspects of the prey. Our results suggest that the distances at which mantises prefer to attempt to capture prey may be the result of their greater probability of successfully capturing the prey. These results highlight the range of motions mantises use when attempting to capture prey, suggesting flexibility in their prey capture attempts in relation to prey position.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Elizabeth McMillan
- Department of Biological Sciences, Towson University, Towson, MD 21252, USA
| | | | - Ryan Turnbaugh
- Department of Biological Sciences, Towson University, Towson, MD 21252, USA
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Kang J, Ramirez-Calero S, Paula JR, Chen Y, Schunter C. Gene losses, parallel evolution and heightened expression confer adaptations to dedicated cleaning behaviour. BMC Biol 2023; 21:180. [PMID: 37612643 PMCID: PMC10463495 DOI: 10.1186/s12915-023-01682-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2023] [Accepted: 08/11/2023] [Indexed: 08/25/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cleaning symbioses are captivating interspecific interactions in which a cleaner fish removes ectoparasites from its client, contributing to the health and diversity of natural fish communities and aquaculture systems. However, the genetic signatures underlying this specialized behaviour remain poorly explored. To shed light on this, we generated a high-quality chromosome-scale genome of the bluestreak cleaner wrasse Labroides dimidiatus, a dedicated cleaner with cleaning as primary feeding mechanism throughout its life. RESULTS Compared with facultative and non-cleaner wrasses, L. dimidiatus was found with notable contractions in olfactory receptors implying their limited importance in dedicated cleaning. Instead, given its distinct tactile pre-conflict strategies, L. dimidiatus may rely more heavily on touch sensory perception, with heightened gene expression in the brain in anticipation of cleaning. Additionally, a reduction in NLR family CARD domain-containing protein 3 might enhance innate immunity of L. dimidiatus, probably assisting to reduce the impacts from parasite infections. In addition, convergent substitutions for a taste receptor and bone development genes across cleaners (L. dimidiatus and facultative cleaners) may provide them with evolved food discrimination abilities and jaw morphology that differentiate them from non-cleaners. Moreover, L. dimidiatus may exhibit specialized neural signal transductions for cleaning, as evidenced by positive selection in genes related to the glutamatergic synapse pathway. Interestingly, numerous glutamate receptors also demonstrated significantly higher expression in L. dimidiatus not engaged in cleaning, as compared to those involved in cleaning. Besides, apparent contractions in L. dimidiatus for protocadherins, which are responsible for neuronal development, may further promote specialized neural signal transductions in this species. CONCLUSIONS This study reveals that L. dimidiatus harbours substantial losses in specific gene families, convergent evolutions across cleaners and a large-scale high gene expression in preparation for cleaning, allowing for adaptation to the dedicated cleaning behaviour.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jingliang Kang
- Swire Institute of Marine Science, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Sandra Ramirez-Calero
- Swire Institute of Marine Science, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - José Ricardo Paula
- Swire Institute of Marine Science, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong SAR, China
- MARE - Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre & ARNET - Aquatic Research Network, Laboratório Marítimo da Guia, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Nossa Senhora Do Cabo, 939, Cascais, 2750-374, Portugal
- Departamento de Biologia Animal, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, Campo Grande, 1749-016, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Yifang Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Marine Pollution and Department of Chemistry, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, SAR, China
| | - Celia Schunter
- Swire Institute of Marine Science, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong SAR, China.
- State Key Laboratory of Marine Pollution and Department of Chemistry, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, SAR, China.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Kenthao A, Jearranaiprepame P. Ecomorphological diversification of some barbs and carps (Cyprininae, Cyprinidae) in the Lower Mekong Basin of Thailand. ZOOLOGY 2020; 143:125830. [PMID: 32916444 DOI: 10.1016/j.zool.2020.125830] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2020] [Revised: 07/16/2020] [Accepted: 07/22/2020] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Morphological variation is fundamentally related to various aspects of fish ecology, including foraging, locomotion, and habitat utilisation. Twenty-six species of closely related cyprinid fish (n = 502) were analysed for patterns of morphological variations by using geometric morphometric methods. Ecological data of feeding and habitat preferences were determined by the observations in fields and laboratory together with the gathering of bibliographic information. The findings of major variation displayed in all parts of the fish body and correlated with ecological parameters. Variations of head shape especially form and position of mouthpart involved with feeding behaviours, whereas the variations of body depth and length which affected swimming patterns reflected responsiveness of water currents and habitat uses. Adaptation of head shape and body elongation was remarkably related to the feeding regime, swimming manoeuvrability and habitat utilisation of the species. Some convergent variation was observed between the tribes Smiliogastrini and Poropuntiini. Therefore, we propose that the morphological diversity of cyprinine fish is mainly affected by ecological gradients, while phylogenetic effects on morphology are minor.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anan Kenthao
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Naresuan University, Mueang, Phitsanulok, 65000, Thailand.
| | | |
Collapse
|
4
|
Trophic separation in planktivorous reef fishes: a new role for mucus? Oecologia 2020; 192:813-822. [PMID: 32016525 DOI: 10.1007/s00442-020-04608-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2019] [Accepted: 01/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
The feeding apparatus directly influences a species' trophic ecology. In fishes, our understanding of feeding modes is largely derived from studies of rigid structures (i.e. bones, teeth, gill rakers). A recently described lip innovation, however, highlighted the role of soft anatomy in enabling specialized feeding modes. In this study, we explore whether similar diversification may also occur in the soft anatomy of the buccal cavity. Using four key anatomical traits to classify 19 species (14 genera) of wrasses, we evaluated the relationship between anatomical specialization of the buccal cavity and diet. Our data revealed a previously undocumented anatomical adaptation in the mouths of fairy wrasses (Cirrhilabrus): the mucosa throughout the buccal cavity (i.e. anterior to the pharynx) is packed with goblet cells, enabling it to secrete large quantities of mucus in this region; a new trait that, until now, had not been documented in wrasses. This disparity reflects diet differences, with mucus secretion found only in planktivorous Cirrhilabrus that feed predominantly on amorphous organic material (potentially gelatinous organisms). This suggests a cryptic mucus-based resource partitioning in planktivorous wrasses.
Collapse
|
5
|
Huie JM, Thacker CE, Tornabene L. Co-evolution of cleaning and feeding morphology in western Atlantic and eastern Pacific gobies. Evolution 2019; 74:419-433. [PMID: 31876289 DOI: 10.1111/evo.13904] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2019] [Revised: 11/22/2019] [Accepted: 11/25/2019] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Cleaning symbioses are mutualistic relationships where cleaners remove and consume ectoparasites from their clients. Cleaning behavior is rare in fishes and is a highly specialized feeding strategy only observed in around 200 species. Cleaner fishes vary in their degree of specialization, ranging from species that clean as juveniles or facultatively as adults, to nearly obligate or dedicated cleaners. Here, we investigate whether these different levels of trophic specialization correspond with similar changes in feeding morphology. Specifically, we model the evolution of cleaning behavior across the family Gobiidae, which contains the most speciose radiation of dedicated and facultative cleaner fishes. We compared the cranial morphology and dentition of cleaners and non-cleaners across the phylogeny of cleaning gobies and found that facultative cleaners independently evolved four times and have converged on an intermediate morphology relative to that of dedicated cleaners and non-cleaning generalists. This is consistent with their more flexible feeding habits. Cleaner gobies also possess a distinct tooth morphology, which suggests they are adapted for scraping parasites off their clients and show little similarity to other cleaner clades. We propose that evolutionary history and pre-adaptation underlie the morphological and ecological diversification of cleaner fishes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan M Huie
- School of Aquatic and Fishery Sciences, University of Washington, 1122 NE Boat St, Seattle, Washington, 98195
| | - Christine E Thacker
- Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History, 2559 Puesta del Sol, Santa Barbara, California, 93105.,Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County, 900 Exposition Blvd, Los Angeles, California, 90007
| | - Luke Tornabene
- School of Aquatic and Fishery Sciences, University of Washington, 1122 NE Boat St, Seattle, Washington, 98195.,Burke Museum of Natural History and Culture, 4300 15th Ave NE, Seattle, Washington, 98105
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Baliga VB, Mehta RS. Morphology, Ecology, and Biogeography of Independent Origins of Cleaning Behavior Around the World. Integr Comp Biol 2019; 59:625-637. [DOI: 10.1093/icb/icz030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Members of an ecological guild may be anticipated to show morphological convergence, as similar functional demands exert similar selective pressures on phenotypes. Nature is rife with examples, however, where such taxa instead exhibit ‘incomplete’ convergence or even divergence. Incorporating factors such as character displacement by other guild members or variation in ecological specialization itself may therefore be necessary to gain a more complete understanding of what constrains or promotes diversity. Cleaning, a behavior in which species remove and consume ectoparasites from “clientele,” has been shown to exhibit variation in specialization and has evolved in a variety of marine habitats around the globe. To determine the extent to which specialization in this tropic strategy has affected phenotypic evolution, we examined the evolution of cleaning behavior in five marine fish families: Labridae, Gobiidae, Pomacanthidae, Pomacentridae, and Embiotocidae. We used a comparative framework to determine patterns of convergence and divergence in body shape and size across non-cleaning and cleaning members within these five clades. Highly specialized obligate cleaning, found in the Indo-Pacific and the Caribbean, evolved in the Labridae and Gobiidae at strikingly similar times. In these two regions, obligate cleaning evolves early, shows convergence on an elongate body shape, and is restricted to species of small body size. Facultative cleaning, shown either throughout ontogeny or predominately in the juvenile phase, exhibits a much more varied phenotype, especially in geographic regions where obligate cleaning occurs. Collectively, our results are consistent with varying extents of an ecological specialization constraining or spurring morphological evolution in recurrent ways across regions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Vikram B Baliga
- Department of Zoology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia V6T 1Z4, Canada
| | - Rita S Mehta
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Long Marine Laboratory, University of California, Santa Cruz, CA 95060, USA
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Kolker M, Meiri S, Holzman R. Prepared for the future: A strong signal of evolution toward the adult benthic niche during the pelagic stage in Labrid fishes. Evolution 2019; 73:803-816. [PMID: 30720219 DOI: 10.1111/evo.13694] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2018] [Revised: 01/09/2019] [Accepted: 01/15/2019] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
The morphology of organisms reflects a balance between their evolutionary history, functional demands, and biomechanical constraints imposed by the immediate environment. In many fish species, a marked shift in the selection regime is evident when pelagic larvae, which swim and feed in the open ocean, settle in their adult benthic habitat. This shift is particularly dramatic in coral-reef fishes, where the adult habitat is immensely complex. However, whether the adult trophic ecotype affects the morphology of early-life stages is unclear. We measured a suite of 26 functional-morphological traits in the head and body of larvae from an ontogenetic series of 16 labrid species. Using phylogenetic comparative methods, we reconstructed the location of adaptive peaks of larvae whose adults are associated with different trophic ecotypes. We found that the morphospace occupation in these larvae is largely driven by divergent adaptations to the adult benthic habitats. The disparity between adaptive peaks is achieved early and does not monotonically increase with size. Our findings thus refute the notion that larvae rapidly acquire the trophic-specific traits during a metamorphic period immediately prior to settlement. This early specialization might be due to the highly complex musculoskeletal system of the head that cannot be rapidly modified.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Michaela Kolker
- School of Zoology, George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, 69978, Israel
| | - Shai Meiri
- School of Zoology, George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, 69978, Israel
| | - Roi Holzman
- School of Zoology, George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, 69978, Israel.,The Inter-University Institute for Marine Sciences, POB 469, Eilat, 88103, Israel
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Baliga VB, Mehta RS. Phylo-Allometric Analyses Showcase the Interplay between Life-History Patterns and Phenotypic Convergence in Cleaner Wrasses. Am Nat 2018; 191:E129-E143. [PMID: 29693442 DOI: 10.1086/697047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
Phenotypic convergence is a macroevolutionary pattern that need not be consistent across life history. Ontogenetic transitions in dietary specialization clearly illustrate the dynamics of ecological selection as organisms grow. The extent of phenotypic convergence among taxa that share a similar ecological niche may therefore vary ontogenetically. Because ontogenetic processes have been shown to evolve, phylogenetic comparative methods can be useful in examining how the scaling of traits relates to ecology. Cleaning, a behavior in which taxa consume ectoparasites off clientele, is well represented among wrasses (Labridae). Nearly three-fourths of labrids that clean do so predominately as juveniles, transitioning away as adults. We examine the scaling patterns of 33 labrid species to understand how life-history patterns of cleaning relate to ontogenetic patterns of phenotypic convergence. We find that as juveniles, cleaners exhibit convergence in body and cranial traits that enhance ectoparasitivory. We then find that taxa that transition away from cleaning exhibit ontogenetic trajectories that are distinct from those of other wrasses. Obligate and facultative species that continue to clean over ontogeny, however, maintain characteristics that are conducive to cleaning. Collectively, we find that life-history patterns of cleaning behavior are concordant with ontogenetic patterns in phenotype in wrasses.
Collapse
|
9
|
Baliga VB, Bernstein ZJ, Sundaram S, Mehta RS. Labrid cleaner fishes show kinematic convergence as juveniles despite variation in morphology. J Exp Biol 2017; 220:2787-2797. [PMID: 28515238 DOI: 10.1242/jeb.153783] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2016] [Accepted: 05/14/2017] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Cleaning, a dietary strategy in which mucus or ectoparasites are removed and consumed off other taxa, is performed facultatively or obligately in a variety of species. We explored whether species in the Labridae (wrasses, parrotfishes) of varying ecological specialization employ similar mechanisms of prey capture. In investigating feeding on attached prey among juveniles of 19 species of wrasses, we found that patterns of biting in wrasses are influenced by the interaction between the maxilla and a feature of the premaxilla which we term the maxillary crest. Premaxillary motion during biting appears to be guided by the relative size of the crest. In many cases, this results in a 'premaxillary bite' wherein the premaxillae rapidly move anteroventrally to meet the lower jaws and deliver a protruded bite. Cleaners in the Labrichthyini tribe, however, exhibited reduced or absent maxillary crests. This coincided with a distinct kinematic pattern of prey capture in these labrichthyine cleaners, coupled with some of the fastest and lowest-excursion jaw movements. Although evidence of kinematic specialization can be found in these labrichthyines (most notably in the obligate cleaners in Labroides), we found that facultative cleaners from other lineages similarly evolved reductions in excursions and timing. Convergence in feeding kinematics is thus apparent despite varying degrees of cleaning specialization and underlying morphological features.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Vikram B Baliga
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Long Marine Laboratory, University of California Santa Cruz, 100 Shaffer Road, Santa Cruz, CA 95060, USA
| | - Ze'ev J Bernstein
- Pacific Collegiate School, 3004 Mission Street, Santa Cruz, CA 95060, USA
| | - Shivani Sundaram
- Monta Vista High School, 21840 McClellan Rd, Cupertino, CA 95014, USA
| | - Rita S Mehta
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Long Marine Laboratory, University of California Santa Cruz, 100 Shaffer Road, Santa Cruz, CA 95060, USA
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Wainwright PC, Price SA. The Impact of Organismal Innovation on Functional and Ecological Diversification. Integr Comp Biol 2016; 56:479-88. [DOI: 10.1093/icb/icw081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
|
11
|
Cleaners among wrasses: Phylogenetics and evolutionary patterns of cleaning behavior within Labridae. Mol Phylogenet Evol 2016; 94:424-35. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ympev.2015.09.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2015] [Revised: 09/05/2015] [Accepted: 09/08/2015] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
|