Nest guarding in a damselfish: evidence of a role for parasites |
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Authors: | P Sasal† |
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Institution: | Laboratoire de Parasitologie Fonctionnelle et Evolutive UMR CNRS 5555, Universitéde Perpignan, 52, Avenue Paul Alduy, 66860 Perpignan Cedex, France |
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Abstract: | A potential effect of parasitism on male egg loss while guarding was tested using damselfish Stegastes planifrons . Despite an apparent low energetic cost of the parasite on the male condition, there was a significant positive relationship between egg loss and parasite load. These data provide the first evidence that parasites could play a role in male guarding behaviour. The effect of the parasite could have resulted in low male condition compensated by an increase in filial cannibalism or in a lesser ability to protect the nest from predators. |
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Keywords: | damselfish filial cannibalism monogenea |
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