Interspecific Competition For Food Resources Research Articles

Detailed analysis of prey taxonomic composition indicates feeding habitat partitioning amongst co-occurring invasive gobies and native European perch

One of the negative impacts of non-native invasive species on trophic interactions in an invaded ecosystem occurs via increased interspecific competition for food resources between the invader and local species of the same food niche. In freshwaters, there are usually several fish species that feed on similar food resources. Ponto-Caspian gobies are amongst the most successful and widespread invaders colonising European waterways. They have a wide food niche and an opportunistic feeding strategy, with a focus on benthic invertebrates and piscivory occurring occasionally mainly in the case of large individuals. Competition with native percids for food resources is predicted on the basis of high dietary overlap. However, studies published so far provide no unequivocal answer. In order to resolve this question, we conducted a comparative taxonomic analysis of gut content, with an emphasis on chironomids and amphipods, of the invasive monkey goby (Neogobius fluviatilis), racer goby (Babka gymnotrachelus) and the native Eurasian perch (Perca fluviatilis) occurring sympatrically in a large lowland European river, the Bug River in Poland. We found that each species forages in slightly different habitats, as indicated by the different composition of prey species in the gut content. This suggests feeding niche partitioning between the studied species facilitating their co-existence and reduction or avoidance of competition for food resources. Resource partitioning regarding prey types and foraging habitats is a mechanism for permitting the co-existence of closely-related alien gobies with similar food preferences in the invaded waters and co-occurrence with local species. This mechanism can contribute to their invasion success, as observed in European waters during the recent decades. We also demonstrate that precise prey identification to the lowest possible taxon is crucial to reveal the dietary overlap between co-occurring fish species and to predict the impact of alien invaders on native species through interspecific competition, as well as to recommend such an approach in studies upon fish foraging strategies.

Diet of spiny lobsters from Mahé Island reefs, Seychelles inferred by trophic tracers

Spiny lobsters (Panulirus longipes, P. penicillatus and P. versicolor) are an important resource in Seychelles, where they inhabit coastal carbonate and granite reefs that have been impacted by multiple coral bleaching events over the past two decades. Little is known about their biology and ecology in this region. Interspecific competition for food resources was previously suggested, but no quantitative data on the diet of spiny lobsters were available. Using carbon and nitrogen stable isotope compositions and fatty acid profiles of three spiny lobster species and their potential prey, a Bayesian mixing model for diet estimation was applied to compare the diet proportions of spiny lobsters among species and between reef types (carbonate and granite reefs). Model outputs suggested the three lobster species consume mainly crustaceans (Anomoura hermit crabs; half of the diet), then Echinoidea (sea urchins), algae and molluscs. P. versicolor was found to consume slightly more molluscs and algae than the two other studied species, which was consistent with its lower trophic level (2.4 vs 2.8 for the two other species). Trophic level did not increase with carapace length of spiny lobsters, but large individuals had higher carbon isotopic values suggesting that they might feed closer to the coast or more on detritus feeders than their smaller congeners. Diets of spiny lobsters were fairly similar between carbonate and granite reefs, except that lobster inhabiting granite reefs consumed more sea urchins. While our overall findings were consistent with gut contents of Panulirus spp. from other world regions, they should be confirmed, as the discrimination of several prey based on trophic tracers was low, which increased mixing model uncertainty.

Diet of the mullets Planiliza macrolepis and Moolgarda cunnesius in the Mfolozi-Msunduzi Estuary, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

The mullet species, Planiliza macrolepis and Moolgarda cunnesius, were collected seasonally from Mfolozi-Msunduzi Estuary on the east coast of South Africa in order to determine their diet. The gut contents of 178 fish with standard length (SL) ranging between 100 and 220 mm revealed strong evidence that in the Mfolozi-Msunduzi these fish rely heavily on benthic floc as a primary food source. Plant debris and small benthic organisms, including Assiminea, copepods, nematodes and ostracods also formed part of their diet. Some of these food items (e.g. Assiminea sp. nematodes) were only consumed by P. macrolepis. Differences in the occurrence of food items consumed by these two closely related species may be explained by their feeding ground preferences. Results suggest that P. macrolepis forages in substrata mostly dominated by fine-to-medium sand grain sizes (<50 to 450 µm), whereas M. cunnesius prefers substrata dominated by fine sand to muddy grain sizes (50 to 250 µm). Based on these findings, it is concluded that differences in substrate preference by these two mullet species is an important strategy by which they circumvent any possible interspecific competition for food resources within the system.

Cambios en la dieta de dos especies de mojarras (Gerreidae) en la Laguna de Términos, Campeche, México

The mojarras Diapterus rhombeus and Eucinostomus gula are nektonic dominant species and play an essential role as a link in the energy transfer in the Terminos Lagoon. Thus, in order to contribute on the knowledge of their trophic dynamics, we analyzed the inter-specific and ontogenetic (intra-specific) variation in the diet of these species. A total of 156 individuals of D. rhombeus were analyzed, which consumed 16 trophic groups, whereas 134 individuals of E. gula were analyzed and these consumed 13 trophic groups. The relative importance of trophic groups (gravimetric method) showed that the overall diet of both species was determined mainly by Detritus and Algae, with slight differences between species. The asymptotic pattern of the cumulative trophic diversity indicates that the diets are accurately represented for the study area. Ontogenetically (intra-specific level), the diet of smaller individuals of D. rhombeus (with Copepoda as main food source) showed significant differences with the diets of larger individuals; whereas the diets of larger individuals showed no difference among them. Also, there was a trend in which similarity in diet was lower when the separation in the size of fish was greater, indicating a trend in decreasing intra- specific competition. In contrast, for E. gula, there were no significant differences between the size groups analyzed. Therefore, for D. rhombeus the inter-specific competition for food resources may become stronger than intra-specific competition, while for E. gula, the intra-specific competition for food resources is stronger than interspecific competition.

Dietary relationships among Nearctic and Neotropical migratory shorebirds in a key coastal wetland of South America

Dietary requirements influence the structure of shorebird assemblages, and information on diet is a key to understanding why and when particular species of shorebird use an area and how competition for food might shape their geographical distributions. We describe the diet and patterns of use of food resources of four migratory shorebirds at Samborombón Bay, Argentina, one of the most important sites for shorebirds in the western hemisphere. The birds consumed items representing at least 15 taxa but only a few taxa comprised the main resources consumed. The four species of shorebird showed dietary flexibility influenced by season and tidal level. Co-occurring species showed complementary differentiation in two dimensions of their respective trophic niches (taxonomic composition, size-class). The greatest differences in taxonomic composition of the diet were between Red Knots, which fed mainly on molluscs, and the other three species, which fed mainly on polychaetes. Polychaete consumers that co-occurred during autumn (Hudsonian Godwit and White-rumped Sandpiper) focussed on different prey sizes. Alternatively, shorebirds that co-occurred during winter (Hudsonian Godwits and Two-banded Plovers) fed mainly on polychaete of similar size but showed differences in the taxonomic composition of their diets. Interspecific competition for food resources might shape the composition of the shorebird assemblage of our study area during the austral autumn and winter.

Dietary overlap and potential competition in a dynamic ungulate community in Northwestern Canada

ABSTRACTThe potential for interspecific competition for food resources is a key consideration when newly introduced ungulates occupy a shared range with resident native species. Management plans in Yukon, Canada, for reintroduced bison (Bison bison) and introduced elk (Cervus canadensis) called for an assessment of competition for food resources between these species and resident populations of caribou (Rangifer tarandus), thinhorn sheep (Ovis dalli), and moose (Alces americanus). To assess potential competition among ungulates, we examined dietary overlap of 7 ungulate species in southwestern Yukon, Canada. We compared diet composition at the forage class level and composite diet indices (diversity, evenness, and niche breadth) among species found at 2 elevation classes (high [≥1,200 m ASL] and low [&lt;1,200 m ASL]) during summer and winter, using data derived from microhistological analyses of feces. Composite indices and percent of key forage classes in diets differed among ungulates during summer and winter and at both high and low elevations. Potential dietary overlap for most species pairs was low to moderate (0.07–0.60). However, for bison and thinhorn sheep at high elevations, and bison and semi‐feral horses (Equus ferus caballus) at low elevations, it was high (0.82–0.97) during both summer and winter, indicating potential for food competition. Dietary overlap between species appeared to be based primarily on morphophysiological classification (i.e., browser‐intermediate‐grazer), rather than body size. Bison, horses, and sheep were all grazers. Intermediate species, such as introduced elk, had only moderate dietary overlap with several species. We concluded that the potential for competition for food resources based on dietary overlap between bison and sheep and bison and horses may be high in our study area, depending on forage availability, but for all other species pairs in our study area the potential for forage competition is low to moderate. © 2015 The Wildlife Society.

Isotopic niches of sympatric native and exotic fish species in a Neotropical floodplain.

This study investigated the isotopic niches of two fish species, one exotic and one native. It was hypothesized that these species would show little or no isotopic niche overlap. This hypothesis was tested with the isotopic niche concept and the trophic Layman's metrics. A considerable isotopic niche overlap was observed between the species, mainly for the exotic that showed the greater percentage of overlapping, indicating an interspecific competition for food resources. Layman's metrics also showed this species probably exploits a more specific array of food resources when compared with the native species. The native species probably has the ability to exploit a wider array of resources, highlighted by the higher values given for the Layman's metrics. The juveniles and adults of native species showed minor overlapping between the isotopic niches. This indicates that they have probably adopted different foraging strategies, minimizing intraspecific competition. Evidences that the exotic species explores a narrower range of resources and that the native species has a greater isotopic niche and possibly suffer less intraspecific competition, indicates that the native species can tolerate the presence of the exotic species and promote survival and maintenance of its population even under possible competition effects imposed by the exotic species.

Changes in roach (Rutilus rutilus (L.)) diet and growth in relation to river water quality

Diet composition and growth of the roach (Rutilus rutilus (L.)) was studied in three Lithuanian rivers, differing in water quality. In the pristine river roach fed on various taxa of macroinvertebrates and plant material with similar frequency, none of food categories clearly dominated in the guts of fish. The overall diversity of food items in the diet as well as abundance and diversity of macroinvertebrates in the benthic assemblages were the greatest in the moderately polluted river, but plant material formed the major part of food and was consumed most frequently, presumably as a result of inter-specific competition for the food resources. Percentage of the plant material in the diet was the smallest in the heavily polluted river, where roach predominated over the rest of fish. The growth rates of roach did not differ among reference and heavily polluted river, but in the moderately polluted river fish grew much slower. It is likely that habitat degradation to an extent when majority of less tolerant fish and macroinvertebrate species do not survive seems to be favorable for roach, if the degradation reduces inter-specific competition for food resources.

Dietary niche partitioning in sympatric gadid species in coastal Newfoundland: evidence from stomachs and C-N isotopes

The feeding habits of co-occurring gadid species Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) and Greenland cod (Gadus ogac) in coastal Newfoundland waters, examined using stable isotope (δ 13C and δ 15N) and stomach content analysis, indicated little dietary niche overlap and interspecific competition for food resources despite similar trophic levels. Both species consumed a variety of invertebrates and fish but showed a preference for different prey items. Polychaetes, fish and small crustaceans dominated G. ogac stomach contents while small crustaceans, in particular hyperiid amphipods and fish, dominated those of G. morhua. In general, G. morhua consumed more pelagic prey and had a significantly more pelagic (more negative) δ 13C signature while G. ogac consumed primarily benthic prey and had a more benthic (more positive) δ 13C signature. δ 15N levels were similar in these species suggesting similar trophic positions, with levels increasing with fish length in both species. Dietary overlap was not significant in both stomach and stable isotope analyses. We conclude that interspecific competition for food is low between G. ogac and G. morhua and is unlikely to be a factor in the slow rebuilding of Atlantic cod in this region.

Food habits of introduced brown trout and native masu salmon are influenced by seasonal and locational prey availability

A knowledge of food habits is important for evaluating interspecific competition and predation between sympatric species. Data on food availability should be combined with data on food habits in this type of survey. Although food availability differs between habitats or seasons, these differences had never been considered in previous studies. We conducted year-round field surveys throughout a stream to compare the food habits of an introduced salmonid, brown trout Salmo trutta, and a native salmonid, masu salmon Oncorhynchus masou. Masu salmon did not constitute a large proportion of the diet of brown trout and vice versa. Thus, predation will likely not affect the population level of either species. The dietary overlap between brown trout and masu salmon varied depending on the presence of Gammaridae and terrestrial invertebrates; i.e., the intensity of interspecific competition for food resources may differ according to food conditions.

Effect of banana crop mixtures on the plant-feeding nematode community

Varietal mixture is a cultural technique in which the genetic and functional diversities of varieties are used to manage pests and diseases. This strategy is commonly used on grass crops such as rice, barley, maize, and wheat to mitigate some windborne and soilborne pathogens. The effects of varietal mixtures on the number and community structure of pests, including plant-feeding nematodes (PFNs), however, have rarely been studied. In experiments conducted in Martinique, we evaluated the effect of varietal mixtures of bananas on PFN communities. A growth chamber experiment was used to measure the susceptibility of three banana cultivars dessert banana cv. 902 ( Musa AAA, Cavendish subgroup); a new synthetic hybrid cv. FB924 ( Musa AAA); and a plantain cv. Creole blanche ( Musa AAB, French Horn) to the two major PFNs. The multiplication rates of Radopholus similis and Pratylenchus coffeae were substantially different on the three varieties; for example, the multiplication rate was up to 10 times greater on plantain cv. Creole blanche than on hybrid cv. FB924. In a field experiment, we planted the three varieties in pairs that included all six possible combinations. Banana varietal mixtures significantly affected both PFN densities and community composition. Differences in community composition among the pairs involved a shifting equilibrium among nematode species and an interspecific competition for food resources. The relative abundance of the spiral nematode Helicotylenchus multicinctus increased while that of the burrowing nematode R. similis, which is the most damaging species on bananas, decreased. The use of a varietal mixture in which one variety supports a low PFN multiplication rate appears to have practical relevance, especially in systems based on very susceptible cultivars such as plantains. The use of varietal mixtures should not create management problems, especially for plantations that produce bananas for local markets.

Interspecific competition for food resources between Dolly Varden (Salvelinus malma) and rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) in the Satsunai River reservoir, upper Tokachi River System, Hokkaido

To clarify interspecific competition between Dolly Varden and rainbow trout, their habitat use and stomach contents were investigated in the Satsunai River Reservoir, upper Tokachi River System, Hokkaido, Japan, during 1998-2004. During low population-densities, both species were distributed in the surface layer, whereas at high densities, Dolly Varden were restricted to the bottom layer. When terrestrial insects were abundant on the surface, they were utilized by both species. When the former were less abundant, Dolly Varden fed mainly on bottom layer zooplankton and benthic animals, indicating a shift to specific feeding niches under conditions of high fish

Ecological character displacement in the face of gene flow: Evidence from two species of nightingales

BackgroundEcological character displacement is a process of phenotypic differentiation of sympatric populations caused by interspecific competition. Such differentiation could facilitate speciation by enhancing reproductive isolation between incipient species, although empirical evidence for it at early stages of divergence when gene flow still occurs between the species is relatively scarce. Here we studied patterns of morphological variation in sympatric and allopatric populations of two hybridizing species of birds, the Common Nightingale (Luscinia megarhynchos) and the Thrush Nightingale (L. luscinia).ResultsWe conducted principal component (PC) analysis of morphological traits and found that nightingale species converged in overall body size (PC1) and diverged in relative bill size (PC3) in sympatry. Closer analysis of morphological variation along geographical gradients revealed that the convergence in body size can be attributed largely to increasing body size with increasing latitude, a phenomenon known as Bergmann's rule. In contrast, interspecific interactions contributed significantly to the observed divergence in relative bill size, even after controlling for the effects of geographical gradients. We suggest that the divergence in bill size most likely reflects segregation of feeding niches between the species in sympatry.ConclusionsOur results suggest that interspecific competition for food resources can drive species divergence even in the face of ongoing hybridization. Such divergence may enhance reproductive isolation between the species and thus contribute to speciation.

Walking the line: search behavior and foraging success in ant species

Finding food is one of the most important tasks an animal faces. Although the impact of behavior and morphology on individual foraging success is well characterized, an understanding of the extent of interspecific differences in these traits as well as their influence on resource competition is lacking. Temperate ant communities represent an ideal opportunity for examining how search behavior and morphology affect a species' ability to find food first because ant species demonstrate both a wide range of foraging patterns and intense interspecific competition for food resources. For 10 species across 2 communities, species-specific speed and turning rate were quantified by filming their foraging behavior in nature; we also measured the ratio of leg length to body length of their foragers. Food discovery ability was determined by observing which species found baits first when they were present in the immediate environment. Our results show that foraging patterns are species specific, suggesting that search behavior is an important component of niche separation in ant communities. We also suggest that ant species maximize discovery success at the community level using both behavioral and morphological mechanisms. Good discoverers moved in straighter lines, thereby possibly increasing their chances of finding food, and had longer legs relative to their body size, increasing their efficiency of movement.

Ranging Patterns of Two Syntopic Howler Monkey Species (Alouatta guariba and A. caraya) in Northeastern Argentina

To avoid competition, ecologically similar and closely related species tend to differ in their patterns of habitat use when they live in sympatry. We compared ranging patterns of brown howler (Alouatta guariba) and black and gold howler (A. caraya) monkeys living syntopically, i.e., co-occurring and overlapping their ranges in the same habitat within the zone of sympatry, in the Atlantic Forest of northeastern Argentina with the objective of evaluating whether their use of space contributes to the avoidance of interspecific competition for food resources. During 12 mo we collected data on the ranging behavior of 2 groups of each howler species. We analyzed annual and seasonal daily path lengths and movement rates, home range size, use and overlap, habitat and vertical strata use, and intergroup encounters. Black and gold howlers traveled farther and faster during the time of relative food abundance (abundant season) than during the time of relative food shortage (lean season), and their movement rates were affected by group identity and increased with the proportion of fruits in the diet. Brown howlers’ traveling patterns were not affected by any of these factors. Home ranges for both species (95% fixed kernel; brown howlers: 31–70 ha, black-and-gold howlers: 17–112 ha) were among the largest recorded for Alouatta. For both species, core areas (50% fixed kernel) were larger for larger versus smaller groups, and decreased in the lean season compared to the abundant season. Both species showed similar patterns of habitat use, except for a slight vertical stratification. Groups of different species overlapped their ranging areas consistently more and responded to one another less aggressively during encounters than groups of the same species, suggesting that interspecific spatial niche separation for these two syntopic species is not occurring. The vertical stratification, as well as a day-to-day avoidance strategy, may be the only responses of species to one another that could reduce the potentially high levels of competition for food suggested by their elevated trophic niche overlap. A high degree of niche overlap may explain the parapatric distribution of howlers and other closely related and ecologically similar species of primates.

Nest raiding by the invasive Argentine ant on colonies of the harvester ant, Pogonomyrmex subnitidus

Invasive ants often displace native ants, and published studies that focus on these interactions usually emphasize interspecific competition for food resources as a key mechanism responsible for the demise of native ants. Although less well documented, nest raiding by invasive ants may also contribute to the extirpation of native ants. In coastal southern California, for example, invasive Argentine ants (Linepithema humile) commonly raid colonies of the harvester ant, Pogonomyrmex subnitidus. On a seasonal basis the frequency and intensity of raids vary, but raids occur only when abiotic conditions are suitable for both species. In the short term these organized attacks cause harvester ants to cease foraging and to plug their nest entrances. In unstaged, one-on-one interactions between P. subnitidus and L. humile workers, Argentine ants behaved aggressively in over two thirds of all pair-wise interactions, despite the much larger size of P. subnitidus. The short-term introduction of experimental Argentine ant colonies outside of P. subnitidus nest entrances stimulated behaviors similar to those observed in raids: P. subnitidus decreased its foraging activity and increased the number of nest entrance workers (many of which labored to plug their nest entrances). Raids are not likely to be the result of competition for food. As expected, P. subnitidus foraged primarily on plant material (85% of food items obtained from returning foragers), but also collected some dead insects (7% of food items). In buffet-style choice tests in which we offered Argentine ants food items obtained from P. subnitidus, L. humile only showed interest in dead insects. In other feeding trials L. humile consistently moved harvester ant brood into their nests (where they were presumably consumed) but showed little interest in freshly dead workers. The raiding behavior described here obscures the distinction between interspecific competition and predation, and may well play an important role in the displacement of native ants, especially those that are ecologically dissimilar to L. humile with respect to diet.

Competition between perch (Perca fluviatilis) and ruffe (Gymnocephalus cernuus): the advantage of turning night into day

Summary1. The outcome of interspecific competition for food resources depends both on the competitors’ sensory abilities and on environmental conditions. In laboratory experiments we tested the influence of daylight and darkness on feeding behaviour and specific growth rate (SGR) of two species with different sensory abilities.2. We used perch (Perca fluviatilis) as a visually orientated, and ruffe (Gymnocephalus cernuus) as a mechano‐sensory oriented predator and tested their growth rates and behaviour under conditions of interspecific and intraspecific competition. Three different foraging conditions were used: food supplied (i) only during the day, (ii) only during the night or (iii) during both day and night.3. In perch neither SGR nor feeding behaviour were influenced substantially by interspecific competition during daylight. During darkness their foraging behaviour changed markedly and their access to the food source as well as their SGR were negatively affected by the presence of ruffe.4. Ruffe's foraging behaviour did not change during either day or night with interspecific competition. During the night ruffe's SGR was higher with interspecific competition, probably because of a release from intraspecific competition and the competitive inferiority of perch during the night.5. Because of its seonsory abilities ruffe feeds predominantly at night, thereby reducing competitive interference from perch.

Population-Genetic Structure of Beaver (Castor fiber L., 1758) Communities and Estimation of Effective Reproductive Size Neof an Elementary Population

The absence of panmixia at all hierarchical levels of the European beaver communities down to individual families implies a complex organization of the population-genetic structures of the species, in particular, a large intergroup component of gene diversity in the populations. Testing this assumption by analysis of 39 allozyme loci in the communities of reintroduced beaver from the Vyatka river basin (Kirov oblast) has shown that only the beaver colonies exhibit high intergroup gene diversity (G st = 0.32) whereas this parameter is much lower when estimated among beaver groups from individual Vyatka River tributaries and among localities of one of the tributaries (0.07 and 0.11, respectively). The data suggesting genetic heterogeneity among individual settles within colonies have been obtained. The factors affecting the structure of the beaver communities of the lower hierarchical ranks are considered: the common origin, founder effect, selection, gene drift, assortative mating, and social and behavior features of the species. The conclusion is drawn that the founder effect could be the primary factor of population differentiation only at the time of their formation. The heterogeneity among colonies and among settles is maintained largely by isolation of colonies from one another. The strong interspecific competition for food resources, which is behaviorally implemented in the species at the level of minimal structural units (individual settles) creates a profound and unique population-genetic subdivision of the species. These results substantiate the suggestion that an elementary population (micropopulation) of European beaver is a colony, i.e., a set of related settles of different types. Based on ecological and genetic parameters, the effective reproductive size N e of the minimum beaver population was estimated to be equal to three animals. This extremely low value of effective reproductive population size largely explains the high tolerance of European beaver to inbreeding and striking viability of the species, which from the early 19th century has been for more than hundred years on the brink of survival in the condition which would made any other mammalian species vanish from the Earth.

Alternative usage of common feeding grounds by large predators: the case of two hakes ( Merluccius hubbsi and M. australis) in the southwest Atlantic

Monthly variations in spatial and depth distributions, sex ratios, and maturity status in two species of hakes, Merluccius hubbsi and M. australis, were analysed in an area where their ranges overlap spatially on the shelf and slope around the Falkland Islands, and in international waters at 45–47° S (High Seas), using data collected by scientific observers on commercial fishing vessels. A variety of exploratory analyses were carried out on the raw data before patterns were quantified using generalised additive models. Both species use the areas studied as their feeding grounds. M. australis occur mainly on the Falkland shelf south of 51° S, whereas M. hubbsi is widely distributed throughout both the Falkland and High Seas shelf areas. Preliminary schemes of the seasonal migrations of both hakes in Falkland waters and on the High Seas are suggested and discussed. M. hubbsi and M. australis are found to be strongly segregated, both spatially and temporally, on their common feeding grounds, thus avoiding potential inter-specific competition for food resources.

Comparative Morphometrics and Associated Growth Trends of Two Benthophagous Cichlid Species from Lake Malawi (Pisces, Perciformes)

Body shape differences between two benthophagous, sympatric cichlid species, Ctenopharynx pictus and Otopharynx sp. “heterodon nankhumba” were examined for 14 morphometric characters using measurements obtained from 11 morphological landmarks and additional 6 characters from the head region using principal component and regression analyses. The two species, though not closely related, superficially resemble each other and, being benthic feeders, directly compete for food resources unless morphological differences lead to trophic specialization. Hence, the present study explores the presence of such morphological variations. Principal component analysis (PCA), revealed that only four characters loaded highly on PC II and, therefore, account for most of the variations in the external morphology between the two species. C. pictus has longer lower jaws reflecting longer gape, and a shorter abdominal cavity than O. sp. “heterodon nakhumba”. The regression analyses showed significant differences in the allometric coefficients of the lower jaw and abdominal cavity, which might have contributed to differences in overall shape detected between the two species. The difference in gape size between the two species may be related to different feeding habits employed by each species, and such specializations are suggested to reduce interspecific competition for food resources. We suggest that the ensuing ecological separation promotes sympatry of these two species.