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Complex foraging polymorphism in bluegill sunfish.

T J Ehlinger1, D S Wilson

  • 1Michigan State University, Kellogg Biological Station, Hickory Corners, MI 49060.

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America
|March 1, 1988
PubMed
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Bluegill sunfish exhibit adaptive variations in body shape and feeding behaviors within lakes, specializing for either shallow or open-water habitats. This suggests that such adaptive variation, even in well-studied species, may be more widespread than previously thought.

Area of Science:

  • Ecology
  • Evolutionary Biology
  • Ichthyology

Background:

  • Bluegill sunfish (Lepomis macrochirus) are recognized as generalist predators in North American freshwater lakes.
  • They inhabit both littoral (nearshore) and open-water zones.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate adaptive intraspecific variation in morphology and foraging behaviors within bluegill sunfish populations in single lakes.
  • To determine if individual fish specialize in feeding in either the littoral or open-water habitat.

Main Methods:

  • Observational studies on bluegill sunfish within natural lake environments.
  • Analysis of morphological traits related to feeding.
  • Behavioral observations focusing on foraging strategies in different habitats.

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Main Results:

  • Demonstrated significant adaptive variation in morphology and foraging behaviors among individual bluegill sunfish within the same lake.
  • Evidence suggests that these variations lead to specialization for either littoral or open-water feeding niches.

Conclusions:

  • Intraspecific adaptive variation is present in bluegill sunfish, leading to habitat specialization.
  • The discovery of complex polymorphism in this species indicates that adaptive variation may be more prevalent than currently understood in freshwater fish populations.