Open AccessThe evolution of siphonophore tentilla for specialized prey capture in the open ocean
Author(s) -
Alejandro Damián-Serrano,
Steven H. D. Haddock,
Casey W. Dunn
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
proceedings of the national academy of sciences of the united states of america
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1091-6490
pISSN - 0027-8424
DOI - 10.1073/pnas.2005063118
Subject(s) - predation , biology , morphology (biology) , ecology , biological evolution , evolutionary biology , modular design , zoology , computer science , genetics , operating system
Significance Predatory specialization is often associated with the evolution of modifications in the morphology of the prey-capture apparatus. Specialization has been considered an evolutionary “dead end” due to the constraints associated with these morphological changes. However, in predators like siphonophores, armed with modular structures used exclusively for prey capture, this assumption is challenged. Our results show that siphonophores can evolve generalism and new prey-type specializations by modifying the morphological states, modes of evolution, and evolutionary correlations between the parts of their prey-capture apparatus. These findings demonstrate how studying open-ocean nonbilaterian predators can reveal novel patterns and mechanisms in the evolution of specialization. Understanding these evolutionary processes is fundamental to the study of food web structure and complexity.