Community assembly and diversification in Indo-Pacific coral reef fishes

摘要: Theories of species coexistence have played a central role in ecology and evolutionary studies the origin maintenance biodiversity highly diverse communities. The concept niche associated theories predict that competition for available ecological space leads to ceiling richness influences further diversification patterns. By contrast, neutral theory supports speciation is stochastic diversity independent. We examined phylogenetic community structure rates three families 14 sites within coral reef fish communities from Indian Pacific oceans. Using relationships among 157 estimated with 2300 bp mitochondrial DNA, we tested predictions terms theories. At regional scale, our findings suggest shifts during assembly pattern dispersion as consequence allopatric recent times but overall, variations did not relate sea level changes. local consistent model since no departure random sorting was observed. present results support unpredictable nature reefs favoring generalist sedentary competing living rather than trophic resources. As consequence, observed decrease may be seen result limited supply expected finite island model.