Feeding ecology and coexistence dynamics in a community of fishes in a temperate temporary water body

Competition among fish species in temporary water bodies drives distinct feeding strategies, with some species specializing while others generalize their diets. This study found that the annual killifish Millerichthys robustus and Poecilia mexicana exhibit niche overlap but adjust their feeding breadth inversely under competitive pressure, suggesting specialization in response to resource constraints. Meanwhile, Cynodonichthys tenuis, Astyanax aeneus, Dormitator maculatus, and amphibian larvae show overlapping niches with generalized feeding habits, likely as an adaptive strategy. The research analyzed feeding guilds and niche dynamics in a temporary pool near Tlacotalpan, Mexico, revealing two cohorts of M. robustus with differing strategies, possibly linked to variable environmental conditions. The study highlights the complex coexistence mechanisms in fish communities facing temporal ecosystem changes.

M. Tessy, M.-C., Sharon, V.-C., & Omar, D.-C. (2021). Feeding ecology and coexistence dynamics in a community of fishes in a temperate temporary water body. Ecology of Freshwater Fish, 31(1), 1–16. Portico. https://doi.org/10.1111/eff.12604