:: Current research project

The marine cleaning mutualism between the cleaner wrasse Labroides dimidiatus and its client reef fish: cognition and endocrinology

Cleaning mutualisms in the marine environment have long been seen has a textbook example of mutualistic cooperation. Specifically, the interactions between the cleaner wrasses Labroides dimidiatus with their reef clients have been the target of several studies that have contributed for a generalized knowledge of the functional aspects of these cleaners fish behaviour. However, little is known about the underlying mechanisms of decision making. Can fish social behaviour be restricted to interactions within-species or can cleaners’ interspecific behaviour be modulated in a similar fashion? Is cleaning a social or foraging behaviour? Is it governed by the same hormones as intraspecific social behaviour? And how does cleaning affect clients?

The general aim of this project is to link the functional aspects of decision making to its mechanisms, through the experimental manipulation of neuroendocrine systems in cleaners and, by further testing on how this manipulation influences their behaviour both during learning experiments and their interactions with clients.

Funded by: FCT - SFRH/BPD/41437/2007

:: Selected publications

- Cardoso S.C., Soares, M.C., Oxenford, H.A. & Côté I.M. 2009. Interspecific differences in foraging behaviour and functional role of Caribbean parrotfish. Marine Biodiversity Records 2: 1-6.

- Soares, M.C., Bshary, R, &. Côté I.M. 2009. Cleaning in pairs enhances honesty in male
cleaning gobies. Behavioral Ecology 220(6):1343-1347.

- Soares, M.C., Côté I.M., Cardoso S.C. & Bshary, R. 2008. The cleaning goby mutualism: a system without punishment, partner switching or tactile stimulation. Journal of Zoology 276: 306–312.

- Soares, M.C., Bshary, R. and Côté, I.M. 2008. Does cleanerfish service quality depend on client value or choice options? Animal Behaviour 76(1): 123-130.

- Soares, M.C., Bshary, R., Cardoso, S.C. and Côté, I.M. 2008. Does competition for clients increase service quality in cleaning gobies? Ethology 114: 625–632.

- Soares, M.C., Bshary, R., Cardoso, S.C. and Côté, I.M. 2008. The meaning of jolts by fish clients of cleaning gobies. Ethology 114(3): 209-214.

- Soares, M.C., Cardoso, S.C. and Côté, I.M. 2007. Client preferences by caribbean cleaning gobies: food, safety or something else? Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology 61: 1015-1022.