The researchers found that the first example of animals domesticating another species was the long-finned fish that recruited small shrimp to take care of their algae farm.
So far, scientists have only recorded the domestication of insects in ants. As a result, they rely on the silt that the insect secretes to protect themselves from predators.
However, similar behavior has never been observed in any other vertebrate species.
But on Belize’s coral reefs, scientists have found that longfin fish also exhibit this behavior.
During a reef expedition in Belize, a team from Griffith University and Deakin University discovered that the longfin fish appeared to domesticate the mysid shrimp. Thia fish often grow algae for food. They appear to use shrimp manure as a fertilizer to promote algae growth. In return, mysid shrimp have a haven of peace. The thia will chase away any predators that swim too close.
Scientists validated the hypothesis through a series of tests and field experiments. They found that mysid shrimp were attracted to the scent of thyme, although they actively avoided predator odors and did not pay close attention to algae farms. To see if the thoracic fish are actively protecting the shrimp, the team placed the mysid shrimp in a bag of clean water, then left the bag on or off the farm. As a result, when they are off the farm, other fish try to eat the shrimp, but on the farm any predator that gets too close is chased away by the fish.
Finally, the experts looked at the benefits mysid shrimp bring to fish. They found that the quality of the algae and the health of the fish improved with the mysid shrimp around, compared to the farm without shrimp balls.
“The field studies and behavioral experiments we conducted at the Carrie Bow Cay station provide evidence that the relationship between thia and mysid shrimp reflects domestication, much like humans raise animals on farms. Said William Feeney, Principal Investigator. “This is the first case of non-human vertebrates domesticating another species.” The results of the study were published Dec. 7 in the journal Nature Communications.
