Title |
Cleaner Shrimp Use a Rocking Dance to Advertise Cleaning Service to Clients
|
---|---|
Published in |
Current Biology, April 2005
|
DOI | 10.1016/j.cub.2005.02.067 |
Pubmed ID | |
Authors |
Justine H.A. Becker, Lynda M. Curtis, Alexandra S. Grutter |
Abstract |
Signals transmit information to receivers about sender attributes, increase the fitness of both parties, and are selected for in cooperative interactions between species to reduce conflict [1, 2]. Marine cleaning interactions are known for stereotyped behaviors [3-6] that likely serve as signals. For example, "dancing" and "tactile dancing" in cleaner fish may serve to advertise cleaning services to client fish [7] and manipulate client behavior [8], respectively. Cleaner shrimp clean fish [9], yet are cryptic in comparison to cleaner fish. Signals, therefore, are likely essential for cleaner shrimp to attract clients. Here, we show that the yellow-beaked cleaner shrimp [10] Urocaridella sp. c [11] uses a stereotypical side-to-side movement, or "rocking dance," while approaching potential client fish in the water column. This dance was followed by a cleaning interaction with the client 100% of the time. Hungry cleaner shrimp, which are more willing to clean than satiated ones [12], spent more time rocking and in closer proximity to clients Cephalopholis cyanostigma than satiated ones, and when given a choice, clients preferred hungry, rocking shrimp. The rocking dance therefore influenced client behavior and, thus, appears to function as a signal to advertise the presence of cleaner shrimp to potential clients. |
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Researcher | 14 | 14% |
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Student > Postgraduate | 12 | 12% |
Other | 14 | 14% |
Unknown | 8 | 8% |
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Unspecified | 1 | <1% |
Other | 5 | 5% |
Unknown | 10 | 10% |