Individual variation in feeding morphology, not diet, can facilitate the success of generalist species in urban ecosystems.

Abstract

Generalist species dominate urban ecosystems. The success of urban generalists is often related to a plastic diet and feeding traits that allow them to take advantage of a variety of food resources provided by humans in cities. The classification of a species as a generalist is commonly based on mean estimates of diet‐ and feeding‐related traits. However, there is increasing evidence that a generalist population can consist of individual specialists. In such cases, estimates based on mean can hide important individual variation that can explain trophic ecology and the success of urban dwellers. Here, we focus on guppies, Poecilia reticulata, a widespread alien fish species which has invaded both urban and non‐urban systems, to explore the effect of urbanization on individual diet and feeding morphology (cranium shape). Our results show that guppies in urban and non‐urban populations are not individual specialists, having a similar generalist diet despite the high population density. However, there is important individual variation in cranium shape which allow urban guppies to feed more efficiently on highly nutritious food. Our data suggest that individual variation in feeding efficiency can be a critical overlooked trait that facilitates the success of urban generalists.