Diversification and functional evolution of reef fish feeding guilds |
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Authors: | Laura Gajdzik Rosalia Aguilar‐Medrano Bruno Frdrich |
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Institution: | Laura Gajdzik,Rosalia Aguilar‐Medrano,Bruno Frédérich |
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Abstract: | A core eco‐evolutionary aim is to better understand the factors driving the diversification of functions in ecosystems. Using phylogenetic, trophic, and functional information, we tested whether trophic habits (i.e. feeding guilds) affect lineage and functional diversification in two major radiations of reef fishes. Our results from wrasses (Labridae) and damselfishes (Pomacentridae) do not fully support the ‘dead‐end’ hypothesis that specialisation leads to reduce speciation rates because the tempo of lineage diversification did not substantially vary among guilds in both fish families. Our findings also demonstrate a tight relationship between trophic habits and functional roles held by fish in reef ecosystems, which is not associated with a variation in the tempo of functional diversification among guilds. By illustrating the pivotal importance of the generalist feeding strategy during the evolutionary history of reef fishes, our study emphasises the role of this feeding guild as a reservoir for future diversity. |
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Keywords: | Coral reef fish ecological diversity evolutionary rate functional diversity functional ecology Labridae Pomacentridae trait evolution versatility |
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