2025/06/26 by Jonathan M. Huie, S. D. Arnette, Allyson J. Evans +5 · 1 voice
Environmental Science · Agricultural and Biological Sciences · #Fish Ecology and Management Studies #Physiological and biochemical adaptations #Animal Behavior and Reproduction
paper · doi:10.1111/jzo.70041
Abstract Anemones are prominent members of marine ecosystems; however, of the 15 000 species of marine fishes, only 13 are documented to feed substantially on anemones. Preying on anemones may require specialized phenotypes to overcome their nematocyst‐lined tentacles and elastic material properties. Here, we investigated whether Clinocottus globiceps , one of the few anemone‐feeding fishes, has behavioral and morphological adaptations for consuming anemones. We used high‐speed videography to describe the behaviors of C. globiceps and syntopic sculpins feeding on anemones and shrimp. We then compared the feeding apparatus of five trophically diverse sculpins using micro‐computed tomography and scanning electron microscopy. We also used histology to investigate potential defense mechanisms for resisting nematocysts. We found that C. globiceps used a distinct combination of twisting and bending to rip anemone tentacles, compared to just the pulling or just rolling behaviors used by all species to feed on shrimp. Both C. globiceps and its algivorous sister species, C. recalvus , had robust jaws, large jaw muscles, and rows of blade‐like teeth suited for biting that contrasted with the suction‐feeding morphology of benthic invertivores. Clinocottus globiceps also had thicker epithelia around the mouth, which may act as a shield against nematocysts. We propose that the morphologies of C. globicep s that aid in anemone‐feeding are likely exapted from algivory. We also emphasize the important role of behavior in facilitating trophic novelty.