Marine-freshwater transitions are associated with the evolution of dietary diversification in terapontid grunters (Teleostei: Terapontidae).
J Evol Biol
; 25(6): 1163-79, 2012 Jun.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-22519660
ABSTRACT
The ecological opportunities associated with transitions across the marine-freshwater interface are regarded as an important catalyst of diversification in a range of aquatic taxa. Here, we examined the role of these major habitat transitions and trophic diversification in a radiation of Australasian fishes using a new molecular phylogeny incorporating 37 Terapontidae species. A combined mitochondrial and nuclear gene analysis yielded a well-supported tree with most nodes resolved. Ancestral terapontids appear to have been euryhaline in habitat affiliation, with a single transition to freshwater environments producing all Australasian freshwater species. Mapping of terapontid feeding modes onto the molecular phylogeny-predicted carnivorous dietary habits was displayed by ancestral terapontids, which subsequently diversified into a range of additional carnivorous, omnivorous, herbivorous and detritivorous dietary modes upon transition to freshwater habitats. Comparative analyses suggested that following the freshwater invasion, the single freshwater clade has exhibited an increased rate of diversification at almost three times the background rate evident across the rest of the family. The marine-freshwater transition within Terapontidae appears to have resulted in substantial dietary radiation in freshwater environments, as well as increased lineage diversification rates relative to euryhaline-marine habitats.
Full text:
1
Collection:
01-internacional
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Ecosystem
/
Evolution, Molecular
/
Diet
/
Fishes
/
Fresh Water
Type of study:
Risk_factors_studies
Limits:
Animals
Country/Region as subject:
Oceania
Language:
En
Journal:
J Evol Biol
Journal subject:
BIOLOGIA
Year:
2012
Document type:
Article
Affiliation country:
Australia
Publication country:
CH
/
SUIZA
/
SUÍÇA
/
SWITZERLAND