In the present study, these tools were employed to estimate the developmental stage at which the juveniles of the sympatric carangids Oligoplites palometa, O. Recent studies have employed complex tools, such as geometrical morphometric modeling and ecomorphological analyses, to understand the developmental and ontogenetic dynamics of the body shape of a number of organisms, including mimetic fish. The analysis of the shape of an organism can provide important insights into its ecological and evolutionary characteristics. While some species are known to be plant-mimetic while in the juvenile stage, only a few descriptive data are available. The natural history of the carangids is still poorly understood, even in the case of the commercially important species, and particularly for the juvenile stages. The family Carangidae is a cosmopolitan group that inhabits tropical and warm-temperate waters, and contributes approximately 5% of commercial fishery catches worldwide. īreder first discussed the evolutionary importance of this type of behavior, based on observations of a number of different fish species, including mangrove-dwelling forms, such as the carangids Oligoplites saurus and Trachinotus falcatus, which were observed drifting in the water, together with debris (leaves, seeds) derived from the mangrove forest.
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The analysis of the anti-predatory behavior and coloration in fish can provide useful insights for the understanding of the ecological and evolutionary relationships among different species, e.g., fish-plant mimics, given that these behavior patterns have been associated with the population dynamics of a number of different fish species. However, the specific mechanisms involved in this phenomenon are still poorly understood, especially in the case of plant mimesis, due to the difficulties of conducting systematic observations under field conditions. īehavioral strategies associated with mimetism and camouflage in fish have been widely studied, and the phenomenon is relatively well documented in both freshwater and marine species. Estuarine environments are regarded attractive to juvenile fish, presenting lower predation risks and a much higher availability of food and feeding sites. In the tropical zone, mangrove ecosystems constitute an especially important, and highly productive environment used as spawning grounds and nurseries (feeding and shelter) by an enormous variety of marine organisms.
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The morphometric analyses revealed a general tendency of isometric development in all three fish species, probably related to their pelagic habitats, during all ontogenetic stages.Ĭoastal ecosystems, especially estuaries, are regarded as excellent nursery environments for many marine organisms, in particular fish. While the mimetic fish and their models retain their own distinct, intrinsic morphological features, a high degree of morphological similarity was found between each fish species and its model. Individual fishes and associated floating objects (models) were sampled for comparative analysis using both geometric and morphometric approaches. Behavioral observations were conducted in the estuary of Curuçá River, in northeastern Pará (Brazil) between August 2015 and July 2016. The present study is the first to verify the morphological similarities and ecomorphological relationships between three carangids ( Oligoplites saurus, Oligoplites palometa and Trachinotus falcatus) and their associated plant models. The mimetic juveniles of a number of carangid fish species resemble plant parts floating near the water surface, such as leaves, seeds and other plant debris.