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A cleaning interaction between sailfin mollies (Poecilia latipinna) and humans in Lake Vouliagmeni, Greece

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Abstract

Here, I report an unexpected interaction between the introduced fish species, Poecilia (Mollienesia) latipinna and humans in Lake Vouliagmeni, Greece. In this lake, I observed the normally skittish P. latipinna approach and graze on the exposed skin of bathing humans, presumably removing dead skin cells in what amounts to an exfoliating process. The natural occurrence of this phenomenon in Lake Vouliagmeni is likely a product of multiple contingencies, including the introduction of P. latipinna sometime around the mid-twentieth century, and the fairly unique ecological circumstances. I suggest and discuss several conditions that must be met for such a cleaning interaction to develop, including an appropriate fish species being present, an environment in which fish are able to safely approach humans without being captured or otherwise harmed, and human tolerance—even enjoyment—of the behavior. Finally, I point out a number of remaining questions including whether both species receive a net benefit, if there has been any behavioral or physiological feeding specialization, and whether similar phenomena occur elsewhere in the world.

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Fig. 1

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Notes

  1. https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g562635-d1783442-Reviews-Lake_Vouliagmeni-Vouliagmeni_East_Attica_Region_Attica.html

  2. https://www.limnivouliagmenis.gr/en/portfolios/thermal-experience/

  3. https://www.pbs.org/wnet/nature/perfect-partners-hippos-get-clean/14200/

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Acknowledgements

I thank Yannis Dimopoulos and Kelly Roussi for inviting me to their Greek wedding, Bethany Muller, Branden Kusanto, and Andrew Gordon for visiting Lake Vouliagmeni with me, and Bart Pollux, David Reznick, Joe Travis, and Stephanie McLean for helpful discussion and comments.

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  1. Department of Biological and Marine Sciences, University of Hull, Hull, UK

    Andrew I. Furness

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  1. Andrew I. Furness
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AIF made the behavioral observations and wrote the manuscript.

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Correspondence to Andrew I. Furness.

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Furness, A.I. A cleaning interaction between sailfin mollies (Poecilia latipinna) and humans in Lake Vouliagmeni, Greece. Environ Biol Fish 104, 881–886 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10641-021-01121-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10641-021-01121-8

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