Sea anemone host selection by the symbiotic saddled cleaner shrimp Periclimenes holthuisi

Abstract

A preliminary field survey was conducted to determine the distribution of ectosymbiotic shrimp Periclimenes holthuisi on the sea anemone Stichodactyla haddoni in Moreton Bay (Queensland, Australia). Laboratory experiments were also carried out to verify whether the shrimp show a preference for one anemone host. In the field, 45 individuals of P. holthuisi were found to be associated with 70% of the specimens of S. haddoni (n�=�20). We inferred this shrimp population was not space-limited because not all anemones were colonized. After having been isolated from their natural host for 2 weeks, when placed between individuals of S. haddoni and Macrodactyla doreensis (an anemone that is sympatric with S. haddoni), shrimp overwhelmingly selected S.�haddoni (92%). To establish whether M. doreensis may serve as an alternative host for P. holthuisi, unacclimated shrimp were forced to associate with this anemone. Macrodactyla doreensis showed little tentacle reaction during this association; shrimp were found on the anemone's tentacles and the column. The finding that M. doreensis can serve as an alternative host for P. holthuisi demonstrates that this anemoneshrimp is adaptable to another anemone host and thus may not be highly host specific.

Spatial distribution of symbiotic shrimps (Periclimenes holthuisi, P. brevicarpalis, Thor amboinensis) on the sea anemone Stichodactyla haddoni

“…Description of ¢eld site, ¢eld sampling and survey results, and laboratory maintenance protocol are reported elsewhere (Khan et al, 2003). Four individuals of Stichadactyla haddoni, 45 Periclimenes holthuisi, ten P. brevicarpalis, and eight Thor amboinensis were used in this study.…”

Ectosymbionts of the Sea Anemone Stichodactyla gigantea at Kosrae, Micronesia

“…This study represents the first quantitative analysis of ecto symbionts associating with S. gigantea. Our lack of a cor relation between anemone size and the number of ectosym bionts was also reported for studies of the shrimp T. amboi nensis associating with the anemone Stichodactyla helian thus (Ellis, 1768) (see Baeza and Piantoni, 2010), the shrimp Ancylomenes pedersoni (Chace, 1958) associating with the anemone Condylactis gigantea (Weinland, 1860) (see Nizin ski, 1989), and the shrimp Ancylomenes holthuisi (Bruce, 1969) associating with the anemone Stichodactyla haddoni (SavilleKent, 1893) (see Khan et al, 2003). However, a significantly positive correlation between anemone size and the number of ectosymbionts was reported for decapod crustaceans associating with the anemone Telmatactis cri coides (Duchassaing, 1850) (see Wirtz, 1997) and the shrimp Periclimenes rathbunae Schmitt, 1924 associating with the anemone S. helianthus (Hayes and Trimm, 2008).…”

Variation in partner benefits in a shrimp—sea anemone symbiosis

“…As discussed by Mascaro et al (2012) , previous efforts to examine host choice in pontoniine shrimps ( Guo, Hwang & Fautin, 1996 ; Silbiger & Childress, 2008 ; Spotte et al, 1991 ) have yielded complex results demonstrating across and within taxon variation. Studies of the ecological interactions of anemone shrimps with hexacorallian hosts have included studies of distribution on and among hosts, and space-partitioning amongst co-occuring symbiotic organisms ( Bos & Hoeksema, 2015 ; Hayes & Trimm, 2008 ; Hoeksema & Fransen, 2011 ; Khan et al, 2003 ; Mascaro et al, 2012 ). Stanton (1977) noted that anemones with larger fleshy tentacles were more likely to host commensal crustaceans.…”