Differentiating morpho-functional patterns of the five most common deep-sea benthic anglerfishes (Lophiiformes) from Andaman and Nicobar Islands (eastern Indian Ocean)
M. Rajeeshkumar, Kannamkulathil Vijayan Aneesh Kumar, J. L. Otero-Ferrer, A. Lombarte, M. Hashim, N. Saravanane, Veloorkirakathil Narayanan Sanjeevan, Mallavarapu Venkata Ramana Murthy, Víctor Manuel Tuset
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引用次数: 2
Abstract
Anglerfishes are widely distributed from shallow to deep-water habitats occupying different ecological niches. To explain this adaptability, we performed a morpho-functional study on common benthic anglerfishes inhabiting the Indian deep-sea waters. Sensory capabilities of species were examined using the morphology and morphometry of sagitta otoliths (related to detection sound and hearing) and eye size (related to visual communication). We also performed an analysis of the degree of functional niche overlap using fish body traits to understand the coexistence of species. Otoliths showed a morphological pattern similar to that of other anglerfishes: an archaesulcoid sulcus acusticus and variability in the irregularity of the dorsal margin. This last feature affected the allometric relationships between the otolith morphometry and fish length, as well as the otolith relative sizes of each species. The findings suggested that bigger otoliths are associated with the increase of depth distribution of species up to 1000 m, from which it decreases. Our hypothesis is that anglerfishes with irregular otolith shapes could be linked to more nocturnal feeding behaviour because they were characterized by greater eye sizes. The results also indicated interspecific significant differences in functional traits providing a low niche overlap. Therefore, our study supports the hypothesis of an environmental and ecological specialization of benthic anglerfishes.
期刊介绍:
Scientia Marina is the successor to Investigación Pesquera, a journal of marine sciences published since 1955 by the Institut de Ciències del Mar de Barcelona (CSIC). Scientia Marina is included in the Science Citation Index since 1998 and publishes original papers, reviews and comments concerning research in the following fields: Marine Biology and Ecology, Fisheries and Fisheries Ecology, Systematics, Faunistics and Marine Biogeography, Physical Oceanography, Chemical Oceanography, and Marine Geology. Emphasis is placed on articles of an interdisciplinary nature and of general interest.