The ontogenetic dynamic of skull shape disparity in damselfishes (Pomacentridae)

Damselfishes (Pomacentridae) are among the most speciose of coral-reef fishes, with > 350 species world-wide, most of which live on coral reefs. They have a life history with two distinct phases: a dispersive pelagic larval phase and a sedentary benthic adult phase. The larval stage ends at coral reef settlement. All larvae feed on planktonic preys whereas juveniles and adults associated to the coral reef show a higher diversity of diets: zooplanktivorous, herbivorous, coral polyp feeders and omnivorous species. Morphological disparity is a major theme in paleobiology. Most studies of disparity have focused on its temporal dynamics over a geological time scale. Surprisingly, the relationship between ontogeny and disparity has received little attention.
Using landmark-based geometric morphometrics, this study aims to test the hypothesis that the ontogenetic change in diet is related to an increase of shape disparity in head skeletal units (neurocranium, suspensorium + opercle, mandible and premaxilla) during the post-settlement growth in eight species of damselfishes. At the end of the larval stage (coral reef settlement), all skeletal units are already species-specific. By comparing levels of shape disparity between species at three developmental stages (at settlement, at 60 mm SL and at maximum adult body size), we found that disparity increases significantly during ontogeny.
The ontogenies of shape were also compared to identify evolutionary changes in developmental processes modifying shape disparity. The ontogenetic patterns are highly divergent among species. At least, evolutionary changes affected three parameters of ontogenetic trajectories of shape in this group: (1) the allometric patterns (the direction in which the vector representing the ontogeny of shape point), (2) the amount of change undergone during the post-settlement phase and (3) the rate of shape changes.
From a functional point of view, the ontogenetic transformations enhance suction-feeding and/or algae scraping (e.g. heightening of the suspensorium and opercle, shortening of the mandible).