The Sympatric Coexistence Mechanism: A Case Study of Two Penahia Species in the Beibu Gulf, South China Sea
The study of trophic relationships among closely related species plays an important role in deepening our understanding of the resource utilization characteristics, differentiation patterns, and population dynamics of co-occurring species in the same habitat. This research uses two congeneric fish s...
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MDPI AG
2024-03-01
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| Series: | Animals |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/14/6/849 |
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| author | Konglan Luo Xiaodong Yang Yan Zhou Xiaoying Yi Chunxu Zhao Jinxi Wang Xiongbo He Yunrong Yan |
| author_facet | Konglan Luo Xiaodong Yang Yan Zhou Xiaoying Yi Chunxu Zhao Jinxi Wang Xiongbo He Yunrong Yan |
| author_sort | Konglan Luo |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The study of trophic relationships among closely related species plays an important role in deepening our understanding of the resource utilization characteristics, differentiation patterns, and population dynamics of co-occurring species in the same habitat. This research uses two congeneric fish species, <i>Pennahia pawak</i> and <i>Pennahia anea</i>, as examples. Based on a stomach content analysis and a carbon–nitrogen stable isotope analysis, a comparative analysis of their feeding habits and trophic niches is conducted. Additionally, a spatial niche analysis is employed to explore the coexistence and competitive mechanisms between these two closely related fish species. The results show that specialized feeding habits mitigate intraspecific competition as the population densities increase. The carbon and nitrogen stable isotope analysis reveals variations in the feeding habits and trophic levels with body length, indicating adaptive shifts in prey selection. Despite similar food resources, niche differentiation arises due to differences in dominant prey, facilitating coexistence. Differences in spatial niche further contribute to niche separation and coexistence. In resource-limited environments, species such as <i>Pennahia</i> utilize trophic and spatial niche differentiation to collectively exploit resources and achieve coexistence, with implications for fishery management favoring <i>Pennahia</i> resource occupancy capabilities. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-24T18:37:45Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-6f4b7a54d806452dbc6e511d8b879fa2 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2076-2615 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-24T18:37:45Z |
| publishDate | 2024-03-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
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| series | Animals |
| spelling | doaj.art-6f4b7a54d806452dbc6e511d8b879fa22024-03-27T13:17:38ZengMDPI AGAnimals2076-26152024-03-0114684910.3390/ani14060849The Sympatric Coexistence Mechanism: A Case Study of Two Penahia Species in the Beibu Gulf, South China SeaKonglan Luo0Xiaodong Yang1Yan Zhou2Xiaoying Yi3Chunxu Zhao4Jinxi Wang5Xiongbo He6Yunrong Yan7Fisheries College, Guangdong Ocean University, Zhanjiang 524088, ChinaFisheries College, Guangdong Ocean University, Zhanjiang 524088, ChinaFisheries College, Guangdong Ocean University, Zhanjiang 524088, ChinaFisheries College, Guangdong Ocean University, Zhanjiang 524088, ChinaSouthern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Zhanjiang), Zhanjiang 524057, ChinaFisheries College, Guangdong Ocean University, Zhanjiang 524088, ChinaFisheries College, Guangdong Ocean University, Zhanjiang 524088, ChinaFisheries College, Guangdong Ocean University, Zhanjiang 524088, ChinaThe study of trophic relationships among closely related species plays an important role in deepening our understanding of the resource utilization characteristics, differentiation patterns, and population dynamics of co-occurring species in the same habitat. This research uses two congeneric fish species, <i>Pennahia pawak</i> and <i>Pennahia anea</i>, as examples. Based on a stomach content analysis and a carbon–nitrogen stable isotope analysis, a comparative analysis of their feeding habits and trophic niches is conducted. Additionally, a spatial niche analysis is employed to explore the coexistence and competitive mechanisms between these two closely related fish species. The results show that specialized feeding habits mitigate intraspecific competition as the population densities increase. The carbon and nitrogen stable isotope analysis reveals variations in the feeding habits and trophic levels with body length, indicating adaptive shifts in prey selection. Despite similar food resources, niche differentiation arises due to differences in dominant prey, facilitating coexistence. Differences in spatial niche further contribute to niche separation and coexistence. In resource-limited environments, species such as <i>Pennahia</i> utilize trophic and spatial niche differentiation to collectively exploit resources and achieve coexistence, with implications for fishery management favoring <i>Pennahia</i> resource occupancy capabilities.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/14/6/849<i>Pennahia pawak</i><i>Pennahia anea</i>stomach content analysisstable isotope analysissympatric coexistence |
| spellingShingle | Konglan Luo Xiaodong Yang Yan Zhou Xiaoying Yi Chunxu Zhao Jinxi Wang Xiongbo He Yunrong Yan The Sympatric Coexistence Mechanism: A Case Study of Two Penahia Species in the Beibu Gulf, South China Sea Animals <i>Pennahia pawak</i> <i>Pennahia anea</i> stomach content analysis stable isotope analysis sympatric coexistence |
| title | The Sympatric Coexistence Mechanism: A Case Study of Two Penahia Species in the Beibu Gulf, South China Sea |
| title_full | The Sympatric Coexistence Mechanism: A Case Study of Two Penahia Species in the Beibu Gulf, South China Sea |
| title_fullStr | The Sympatric Coexistence Mechanism: A Case Study of Two Penahia Species in the Beibu Gulf, South China Sea |
| title_full_unstemmed | The Sympatric Coexistence Mechanism: A Case Study of Two Penahia Species in the Beibu Gulf, South China Sea |
| title_short | The Sympatric Coexistence Mechanism: A Case Study of Two Penahia Species in the Beibu Gulf, South China Sea |
| title_sort | sympatric coexistence mechanism a case study of two penahia species in the beibu gulf south china sea |
| topic | <i>Pennahia pawak</i> <i>Pennahia anea</i> stomach content analysis stable isotope analysis sympatric coexistence |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/14/6/849 |
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