Randomized trial evaluates dietary shifts in reef fish as body size increases, suggesting ecological implications.
Key Points
This research investigates the relationship between body size and dietary preferences in the coral reef fish Caesio cuning, focusing on the shift to gelatinous zooplankton consumption.
Utilized high-taxonomic resolution DNA metabarcoding to analyze gut contents
Conducted morphometric analyses to assess body size correlation with diet
Examined dietary patterns across different habitats and sizes
Demonstrated a clear shift toward increased gelatinous zooplankton consumption with increasing body size in C. cuning
Small and large individuals occupied distinct dietary niches, indicating ontogenetic diet shifts
Correlated increases in body size with morphological traits that enhance feeding and movement in the water column