Journal of Undergraduate Research
Keywords
diverging predation environment, live bearing fish, fish
College
Life Sciences
Department
Biology
Abstract
Our study takes advantage of a unique species pair within Brachyrhaphis, Brachyrhaphis roseni and B. terrabensis,, which provides insight into how divergence proceeds once speciation is complete. Brachyrhaphis roseni and B. terrabensis are sister species that occur in the same river drainages throughout northwestern Panama. A similar pattern occurs between these two species as occurs within other species of Brachyrhaphis, such that B. roseni lives in the presence of ambush predators (e.g., Hoplias microlepis and Gobiomorus dormitor) in lower elevation streams, and B. terrabensis, lives in largely predator-free, higher elevation streams. Therefore, using B. roseni and B. terrabensis as a model system, we are able to test whether patterns of divergence that have been documented within species occur in a similar way in between species comparisons, thus providing insight into the progression of behavioral divergence post-speciation.
Recommended Citation
Money, David and Johnson, Jerald B.
(2015)
"Diverging predation environment between two sister species of live bearing fish: boldness, activity, and exploration.,"
Journal of Undergraduate Research: Vol. 2015:
Iss.
1, Article 123.
Available at:
https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/jur/vol2015/iss1/123