An Investigation of Lepidophagy (Scale Eating) in Cyprinodon Pupfishes on San Salvador Island, Bahamas
A recently described species of pupfish, Cyprinodon desquamator, was previously reported to have rapidly and sympatrically evolved lepidophagy (scale eating) on San Salvador Island, The Bahamas. Although lepidophagy is known from a variety of marine and freshwater fish species, the effects of this mode of predation on prey species have not previously been characterized. By examining scale regeneration rates in lakes with and without the scale-eating predator, we provide evidence suggesting that C. desquamator imposes high predation pressures on sympatric fishes, which supports the hypothesis that the feeding behavior of C. desquamator may have acted as an important driver of pupfish species divergence on San Salvador Island.
Comparison of a normal pupfish scale (A) and a regenerated pupfish scale (B). The regenerated scale is identified by a central area that lacks concentric growth rings.
The mean of percent regenerated scales (%RS) from C. variegatus from lakes without and with C. desquamator.
Regression analysis showing the relationship between percent regenerated scales (%RS) and body size in C. variegatus from lakes without (A) and with (B) C. desquamator.
Contributor Notes
Associate Editor: J. W. Snodgrass.