First record of intraspecific cleaning behavior by the threatened Leuciscidae Squalius alburnoides (Steindachner, 1866) at the Guadiana River basin (Portugal) |
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| Authors: | Marta C Soares Sónia C Cardoso Pedro Fernandes José C Alves Pedro M Anastácio Filipe Banha |
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| Institution: | 1. CIBIO, Centro de Investigação em Biodiversidade e Recursos Genéticos, Universidade do Porto, InBIO Laboratório Associado, Porto, Portugal;2. MARE - Centro de Ciências do Mar e do Ambiente, ARNET - Rede de Investigação Aquática, Departamento de Paisagem, Ambiente e Ordenamento, Universidade de Évora, Évora, Portugal;3. INESC TEC, Campus da Faculdade de Engenharia da Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal |
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| Abstract: | Squalius alburnoides (Steindachner, 1866) is an endemic threatened species from the Iberian Peninsula. Here, we report the first observations of intraspecific cleaning behavior in isolated summer pools in the Guadiana River Basin (Portugal). We found that focal S. alburnoides solicited cleaning by adopting an immobile tail-stand position known as “posing,” which immediately signaled a response to a few conspecifics that approached and inspect them. Our study expands the list of cleanerfish species in freshwaters, giving emphasis to the importance of mutual positive behavior within an endangered species, particularly when facing seasonal disturbance. |
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| Keywords: | cleaning behavior endangered species freshwater ecosystem Squalius alburnoides |
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