Trophic polymorphism and water clarity in northern Australian Scortum (Pisces: Terapontidae)
Davis, A.M., and Pusey, B.J. (2010) Trophic polymorphism and water clarity in northern Australian Scortum (Pisces: Terapontidae). Ecology of Freshwater Fish, 19 (4). pp. 638-643.
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Abstract
The diets and relative intestinal length of two typically herbivorous terapontid fish from contrasting high and low clarity environments were compared. Fish of both species collected from high clarity habitats were almost exclusively herbivorous, whereas conspecifics from low clarity habitats were omnivores. Relative intestinal lengths in both species were significantly shorter in low clarity environments. Pronounced contrasts in water transparency have the apparent capacity to produce dietary niche shifts in these two species that in turn induce and maintain trophic polymorphisms in a riverine environment.
| Item ID: | 15421 |
|---|---|
| Item Type: | Article (Research - C1) |
| ISSN: | 1600-0633 |
| Keywords: | diet shift; intestinal length; water quality; riverine; turbidity |
| Date Deposited: | 23 Feb 2011 23:33 |
| FoR Codes: | 06 BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES > 0602 Ecology > 060204 Freshwater Ecology @ 100% |
| SEO Codes: | 96 ENVIRONMENT > 9605 Ecosystem Assessment and Management > 960506 Ecosystem Assessment and Management of Fresh, Ground and Surface Water Environments @ 100% |
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