Long-term effects of the cleaner fish Labroides dimidiatus on coral reef fish communities.

ABSTRACT: Cleaning behaviour is deemed a mutualism, however the benefit of cleaning interactions to client individuals is unknown. Furthermore, mechanisms that may shift fish community structure in the presence of cleaning organisms are unclear. Here we show that on patch reefs (61-285 m²) which had all cleaner wrasse Labroides dimidiatus (Labridae) experimentally removed (1-5 adults reef⁻¹) and which were then maintained cleaner-fish free over 8.5 years, individuals of two site-attached (resident) client damselfishes (Pomacentridae) were smaller compared to those on control reefs. Furthermore, resident fishes were 37% less abundant and 23% less species rich per reef, compared to control reefs. Such changes in site-attached fish may reflect lower fish growth rates and/or survivorship. Additionally,

SUBMITTER: Waldie PA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3123342 | biostudies-literature | 2011

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature