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Cleaning behaviour in Diplodus spp.: chance or choice? A hint for future investigations

2001; Cambridge University Press; Volume: 81; Issue: 4 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1017/s0025315401004490

1469-7769

Stefano Mariani,

Marine Ecology and Invasive Species

Ectoparasitic crustaceans (Copepoda: Caligidae) occurred at considerable frequency in stomach contents of young specimens of Diplodus sargus and Diplodus puntazzo (Pisces: Sparidae) from two central Mediterranean coastal lagoons. This finding suggests that the ectoparasites might give a non-negligible contribution to the diet of the studied fish species and reveal a certain adaptive advantage of cleaning behaviour in coastal environments.