Abstract
Despite the role that goatfishes play in reef ecosystems, knowledge of their ecomorphological diversity remains scarce. Here, we explore the ecomorphology of six species of goatfishes living in sympatry at Toliara Reef (South-West of Madagascar) by using a combination of morphometric and isotopic (δ13C, δ15N and δ34S) data. The shape of cephalic region was quantified by landmark-based geometric morphometrics and linear measurements, permitting to distinguish each genus and species according to head elongation, cheek size and pectoral fins insertions. Isotopic ratios, used as trophic niche proxy, allowed to highlight clear trophic niche segregation among species built on C and S isotopic ratios, possibly linked to variation in selected prey type and feeding areas. Interspecific variation of these two ratios could also be linked to a cross-reef distribution with species living in the lagoon relying on local primary production and outer-shelf dwellers depending on oceanic inputs. The absence of variation in δ15N values suggests that the six species share similar trophic position. Our comparative analyses revealed a significant relationship between isotopic and morphometric data while taking phylogenetic relationships into account. These results allowed the formulation of hypotheses regarding differences in goatfishes feeding strategies: “long head” species mainly search for preys in anfractuosities or deep in the substrate while “short head” species use their head to dig in superficial soft bottoms. Overall, we highlight ecomorphological partitioning among sympatric goatfishes based on their morphology and feeding habits, and we show that head shape could be used as a trophically relevant trait in Mullidae.
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Data availability
The datasets generated during and/or analyzed during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.
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Acknowledgements
We thank the staff of the Institut Halieutique et des Sciences Marines (IH.SM) of Toliara and, particularly Profs. Jamal Mahafina, Richard Rasolofonirina and Thierry Lavitra for their welcome and their logistical help. Prof. Igor Eeckhaut is also acknowledged for giving us the opportunity to use BIOMAR facilities.
Funding
Funding was provided by the ‘Fonds National de la Recherche Scientifique of Belgium’ (F.R.S-FNRS) to GL (senior researcher at FNRS) and through the FRIA PhD fellowship of LM. This work was partially funded by the ReeFiFish project sustained by FOCUS at ULiège.
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All specimens were bought on Toliara’s local fish markets, already dead. Exporting permits for the samples were obtained via the fishery institution Direction Régionale pour la Pêche et de l’Economie Bleue Atsimo Andrefana (Toliara), 069/22/MeSupRes/U.U/IH.SM. All authors have agreed to participate.
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Mittelheiser, L., Lepoint, G., Gillet, A. et al. Ecomorphology of six goatfish species (Mullidae) from Toliara Reef, Madagascar. Environ Biol Fish 105, 1015–1032 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10641-022-01308-7
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10641-022-01308-7