Fish cleaning symbiosis: Proximate causes of host behaviour
1979; Elsevier BV; Volume: 27; Linguagem: Inglês
10.1016/0003-3472(79)90004-6
ISSN1095-8282
Autores Tópico(s)Primate Behavior and Ecology
ResumoProximate causes for response to a cleaner fish were studied in two host fishes, Chaetodon auriga and Zebrasoma flavescens. Response to a model of a cleaner fish indicated whether ectoparasites, deprivation of exposure to the model, and aversive stimulation had any effect on cleaning symbiotic behaviour. Tactile reinforcement and conflict behaviour appeared to be the major causal factors for host behaviour. Deprivation of experience with the model and aversive stimulation had strong effects on these factors. Ectoparasites had little effect on C. auriga and only amplified responses in Z. flavescens. An evolutionary scheme is suggested in which some cleaner fish have exploited their hosts' tendency to respond to rewarding tactile stimuli.
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