1. A new possible case of mimicry between two Brazilian endemic reef fish.
- Author
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Mendes, Thiago C., Mazzei, Renata C.B., Correal, Gabriel O., and Ferreira, Carlos Eduardo L.
- Subjects
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ENDEMIC fishes , *REEF fishes , *MIMICRY (Biology) , *SYRPHIDAE , *GOBIIDAE , *PREDATION - Abstract
It is proposed herein that the juvenile parrotfish Scarus zelindae is a mimic of the barber goby Elacatinus figaro. Juvenile S. zelindae not only resemble E. figaro but also present changes in behaviour that helps establish the existence of a mimic–model system. When approached by divers juvenile S. zelindae remained stationary at the bottom adopting a site-attached behaviour similar to E. figaro. Because of S. zelindae's colour similarity and behaviour changes, we propose that juvenile S. zelindae may be acting as a mimic to the model E. figaro gaining advantage due to the low rate of predation upon cleaner fish. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2011
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