Feeding Morphology Traits as Predictors of Food Competition Among Cichlid Species in the Komati River System
By Dr Phumza Ndaleni
Post-Doctoral Researcher, NRF-SAIAB
Date: Thursday 25 July 2024,
Time: 10.30am (SAST)
Venue: Lecture Room, NRF-SAIAB, Somerset Street, Makhanda
Zoom Registration link:
https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJEvdu6vrz4tEtBYD2GceHzU2Bz00M18lsjO
Passcode: 979773
Organisms within the same habitat compete for resources like food, especially when they require the same essentials for survival. An animal’s body shape, particularly its feeding structures/organs, influences its diet and how it shares food with others. Similar species are more likely to compete for food than dissimilar ones. This presentation will explore the diet and feeding morphology of three closely related fish species in the Nkomati River: Mozambique tilapia (vulnerable), redbreast tilapia (least concern), and orange-fringed largemouth (endangered). Results from this study will offer insights that could explain the decline of Mozambique tilapia and orange-fringed largemouth observed over the past decade.
The presenter will demonstrate that feeding morphology can be used to predict food competition. Given that Mozambique tilapia and Redbreast tilapia have overlapping feeding morphology and diets, suited for eating plants and detritus which were confirmed in their diet. Orange-fringed largemouth has a feeding morphology adapted for consuming small animals like zooplankton and larvae, confirmed by gut contents.
