Tissue pH and gut ecomorphology in six freshwater teleostsoccupying different trophic levels

Abstract

This study investigated the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, blood, and muscle pH, and explored the characteristic of gut morphology (relative gut length) associated with trophic level in 6 freshwater teleosts. The results showed that GI pH differences among species and significant differences occurred in GI segments (P omnivores > carnivores). A robust link was negatively found between relative gut length and trophic level (P < 0.05).