Is lionfish ontogenetic dietary change mediated by morphological functionality?

• Published in: Hydrobiologia Vol. 851; no. 3; pp. 447 - 456
• Main Authors: Rojas-Vélez, Stephanía, Tavera, Jose, Acero P., Arturo
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Cham Springer International Publishing 01.02.2024; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Biomedical and Life Sciences; Ecology; Feeding; Fish; Flow rates; Freshwater & Marine Ecology; Introduced species; Invasive fish; Juveniles; Life Sciences; Locomotion; Marine fishes; Morphology; Ontogeny; Prey; Primary Research Paper; Pterois volitans; Suction; Swimming; Zoology; Biological invasions; Ontogeny; Lionfish; Locomotion traits; Trophic traits
• ISSN: 0018-8158; 1573-5117
• DOI: 10.1007/s10750-023-05254-y

The objective of this study was to explore ontogenetic changes in functional morphological traits of the invasive lionfish ( Pterois volitans ) and to test if they were associated with the ontogenetic dietary shifts previously documented for this species. We calculated nine functional indices based on body morphology, six associated with fish locomotion and three with prey capture functionality. In juvenile fish, the morphology associated with feeding provides greater mechanical advantages during prey capture due to higher feeding speeds. In contrast, in adults’ locomotion is more efficient and is related to enhanced sustained swimming as the invader grows, but the suction index (related to the ability to generate flow rate to the mouth during feeding) decreases as lionfish grow bigger. Our results suggest ontogenetic changes in functional morphological features related to feeding and locomotion in the invader P. volitans , but these modifications do not seem to be the main driver of their ontogenetic dietary change.