Present address: Depto de Ecologia e Zoologia, CCB, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Campus Universitario, Trindade, Florianópolis, SC 88010-970, Brazil. E-mail: floeter@ccb.ufsc.br
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The macroecology of marine cleaning mutualisms
Article first published online: 15 NOV 2006
DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2656.2006.01178.x
Additional Information
How to Cite
FLOETER, S. R., VÁZQUEZ, D. P. and GRUTTER, A. S. (2007), The macroecology of marine cleaning mutualisms. Journal of Animal Ecology, 76: 105–111. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2656.2006.01178.x
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Present address: Depto de Ecologia e Zoologia, CCB, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Campus Universitario, Trindade, Florianópolis, SC 88010-970, Brazil. E-mail: floeter@ccb.ufsc.br
Publication History
- Issue published online: 15 NOV 2006
- Article first published online: 15 NOV 2006
- Received 24 April 2006; accepted 12 September 2006
Keywords:
- abundance;
- body size;
- cleaning interactions;
- ectoparasites;
- reef fish;
- symbiosis
Summary
- 1Marine cleaning mutualisms generally involve small fish or shrimps removing ectoparasites and other material from cooperating ‘client’ fish. We evaluate the role of fish abundance, body size and behaviour as determinants of interactions with cleaning mutualists.
- 2Data come from eight reef locations in Brazil, the Caribbean, the Mediterranean and Australia.
- 3We conducted a meta-analysis of client–cleaner interactions involving 11 cleaner and 221 client species.
- 4There was a strong, positive effect of client abundance on cleaning frequency, but only a weak, negative effect of client body size. These effects were modulated by client trophic group and social behaviour.
- 5This study adds to a growing body of evidence suggesting a central role of species abundance in structuring species interactions.