Behavioral differences among mutualist species in a shrimp-goby association

Abstract

MEPS Marine Ecology Progress Series Contact the journal Facebook Twitter RSS Mailing List Subscribe to our mailing list via Mailchimp HomeLatest VolumeAbout the JournalEditorsTheme Sections MEPS 510:101-106 (2014) - DOI: https://doi.org/10.3354/meps10905 Behavioral differences among mutualist species in a shrimp-goby association Patrick J. Lyons* Department of Ecology and Evolution, Stony Brook University, 650 Life Sciences Building, Stony Brook, New York 11794-5245, USA Present address: CIEE Research Station Bonaire, 26 Kaya Gobernador N. Debrot, Kralendijk, Bonaire, Caribbean Netherlands *Corresponding author: patrick.lyons5@gmail.com ABSTRACT: Alpheid shrimps and gobiid fishes engage in a mutualism in which shrimp construct burrows that are co-habited with gobies and used as refuge from predators by both. Gobies act as sentinels for shrimp. In the western Atlantic, different goby species have been hypothesized to have a facultative (Ctenogobius saepepallens) and obligate (Nes longus) association with the shrimp Alpheus floridanus. I compared various behaviors among these 2 gobies and another goby that occasionally associates with shrimp (Coryphopterus glaucofraenum). The putatively obligate goby had the greatest preference for shrimp burrows versus other shelters, had the greatest partner fidelity, and facilitated more emergence by shrimp by remaining for longer periods at shrimp burrow entrances. These findings provide evidence that in shrimp-goby mutualism, the more specialized and dependent mutualist gobies provide greater services to their shrimp partners. KEY WORDS: Mutualism · Coevolution · Obligate · Facultative · Shrimp-goby · Nes longus · Ctenogobius saepepallens Full text in pdf format PreviousNextCite this article as: Lyons PJ (2014) Behavioral differences among mutualist species in a shrimp-goby association. Mar Ecol Prog Ser 510:101-106. https://doi.org/10.3354/meps10905 Export citation RSS - Facebook - Tweet - linkedIn Cited by Published in MEPS Vol. 510. Online publication date: September 09, 2014 Print ISSN: 0171-8630; Online ISSN: 1616-1599 Copyright © 2014 Inter-Research.