Ecomorphology out of an excellent predatory deep-sea-fish nearest and dearest: do trophic specialization drive hyperspeciation?
A couple of fundamental drivers regarding speciation one of marine vertebrates is actually actual isolation (age.grams., ponds and you will streams) and you will mini-specific niche supply (e.grams., tropical reefs). Both in relationship, the brand new mesopelagic domain name of the unlock sea, Planet’s second prominent collective ecosystem (behind only the bathypelagic domain), would appear retardant. Sea flow produces separation rare on the each other modern-day and you can geological day/place balances, and also the insufficient substrate precludes steady mini-niches. Paradoxically, some pelagic taxa have shown much higher-than-expected types fullness to your local balances. A prime example is the dragonfish loved ones Stomiidae, by far the most speciose class of mesopelagic fishes, owing mainly for the subfamily Melanostomiinae (scaleless black colored dragonfishes), and therefore adds 222 of your 320 explained types. Inside genera, varieties is actually differentiated nearly entirely by form of jugular-arranged, bioluminescent barbel, a pattern putatively regarding serving (thru victim luring).