'Adventurous’ vs ‘homebody’ anemonefish – research reveals key influences in diversification and evolution
Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST) Graduate UniversityPeer-Reviewed Publication
What’s the driving factor behind nemo’s evolutionary diversification, and why does this matter? Anemonefish are one of the few examples of adaptive radiation in marine environments — where species rapidly diversify to fill ecological roles. Understanding how this happens can teach us how biodiversity forms and is maintained, especially under changing environmental pressures.
Scientists have long assumed that anemonefishes’ tight-knit relationship with sea anemones, their protective hosts, was the main engine behind their evolutionary diversification. Our study instead shows that distinct ecological lifestyles also shape how different species evolve. Some species are “adventurers” that roam widely with powerful muscles and low energy costs, while others are “homebodies” that stay close to their anemone, have smaller muscles, and use more energy to swim.
This matters because it underscores how different behaviors and physiological traits influence biodiversity. In a time of rapid environmental change, understanding these hidden dimensions of animal adaptation helps us better predict which species may be more resilient or vulnerable.
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- Current Biology
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- Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University