Dr Alexandra Grutter
Honorary Senior Fellow
School of the Environment
Researcher biography
My research interests are in coral reef ecology and marine parasitology.
I also incorporate other fields in my research including evolutionary biology, molecular biology, parasitology, and animal behaviour. I use field observations to generate hypotheses which are tested using field and laboratory experiments.
Currently, I have research programmes at Lizard Island on the Great Barrier Reef.
Specific projects include:
The ecological significance of cleaning behaviour in reef fishes
The direct and indirect effects of cleaner fish on the coral reef community
Book Chapters
Grutter, Alexandra S., Feeney, William E., McClure, Eva C., Narvaez, Pauline, Smit, Nico J., Sun, Derek, Sikkel, Paul C. and Hutson, Kate S. (2024). Gnathia aureamaculosa and Gnathia marleyi. Fish parasites: a handbook of protocols for their isolation, culture and transmission. (pp. 375-389) edited by Ariadna Sitjà-Bobadilla, James Bron, Geert Wiegertjes and Maria Carla Piazzon. São Paulo, Brazil: CABI International. doi: 10.1079/9781800629127.0025
Grutter, L. and Irving, A. D. (2007). Positive interactions in marine communications. Marine Ecology. (pp. 110-137) edited by Connell, S. D. and Gillanders, B. M.. Oxford, UK: Oxford University Press.
Grutter, Alexandra S. (2005). Cleaning mutualism in the sea. Marine parasitology. (pp. 264-278) Collingwood, VIC, Australia: CSIRO.
Losey, G. S., Grutter, A., Rosenquist, G., Mahon, J. L. and Zamzow, J. (1999). Cleaning symbiosis: A review. Behaviour and Conservation of Littoral Fishes. (pp. 379-395) edited by V.C. Almada, R.F. Oliveira and E.J. Goncalves. Lisboa, Portugal: ISPA.
Journal Articles
Narvaez, Pauline, Grutter, Alexandra S. and A. Morais, Renato (2025). Integrating movement data and behavioural observations to assess the spatial functional role of sympatric cleaner fishes. Animal Behaviour, 224 123198, 1-11. doi: 10.1016/j.anbehav.2025.123198
Grutter, Alexandra S., Blomberg, Simone P., Duong, Berilin, Fargher, Bronwyn E., Feeney, William E., McCormick, Mark I., Nicholson, Matthew D., Sikkel, Paul C., Warner, Robert R. and Kuris, Armand M. (2024). Parental care reduces parasite-induced mortality in a coral reef fish. Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences, 291 (2033) 20241966. doi: 10.1098/rspb.2024.1966
Ota, Yuzo, Erasmus, Anja, Grutter, Alexandra S. and Smit, Nico J. (2024). Two new species and new host and distribution records of Gnathia Leach, 1814 (Crustacea, Isopoda, Gnathiidae) from Western Australia and the Great Barrier Reef, Australia. ZooKeys, 1193 (1193), 125-144. doi: 10.3897/zookeys.1193.116538
Hendrick, G.C., Nicholson, M.D., Narvaez, P., Sun, D., Packard, A., Grutter, A.S. and Sikkel, P.C. (2024). Diel fish migration facilitates functional connectivity of coral reef and seagrass habitats via transport of ectoparasites. Marine Ecology Progress Series, 731, 249-265. doi: 10.3354/meps14339
Feeney, William E., Brooker, Rohan M., Grutter, Alexandra S. and Nicholson, Matthew D. (2023). First report of interspecific cleaning in a Pseudochromid, the dusky dottyback (Pseudochromis fuscus). Marine Biodiversity, 53 (5) 65, 1-2. doi: 10.1007/s12526-023-01370-z
Grutter, Alexandra S., Nishikawa, Natsumi, Uribe-Palomino, Julian and Richardson, Anthony J. (2023). Corrigendum: Cleaner fish Labroides dimidiatus presence does not indirectly affect demersal zooplankton. Frontiers in Marine Science, 10 1227211, 1-2. doi: 10.3389/fmars.2023.1227211
Grutter, A. S., Bejarano, S., Sun, D. and Mumby, P. J. (2022). Indirect effects of cleaner fish Labroides dimidiatus on fish grazing per reef area and benthic community structure. Marine Biology, 169 (10) 135. doi: 10.1007/s00227-022-04122-y
Narvaez, Pauline, Morais, Renato A., Vaughan, David B., Grutter, Alexandra S. and Hutson, Kate S. (2022). Cleaner fish are potential super-spreaders. Journal of Experimental Biology, 225 (15) jeb244469, 1-12. doi: 10.1242/jeb.244469
Paula, José Ricardo, Repolho, Tiago, Grutter, Alexandra S. and Rosa, Rui (2022). Access to cleaning services alters fish physiology under parasite infection and ocean acidification. Frontiers in Physiology, 13 859556, 1-11. doi: 10.3389/fphys.2022.859556
Grutter, Alexandra S., Nishikawa, Natsumi, Uribe-Palomino, Julian and Richardson, Anthony J. (2022). Cleaner fish Labroides dimidiatus presence does not indirectly affect demersal zooplankton. Frontiers in Marine Science, 9 812989, 1-17. doi: 10.3389/fmars.2022.812989
Quimbayo, Juan P., Mendes, Thiago C., Barneche, Diego R., Dias, Murilo S., Grutter, Alexandra S., Furtado, Miguel, Leprieur, Fabien, Pellissier, Loïc, Mazzei, Renata, Narvaez, Pauline, Sasal, Pierre, Soares, Marta C., Parravicini, Valeriano, Sazima, Ivan, Kulbicki, Michel and Floeter, Sergio R. (2021). Patterns of taxonomic and functional diversity in the global cleaner reef fish fauna. Journal of Biogeography, 48 (10) jbi.14214, 2469-2485. doi: 10.1111/jbi.14214
Narvaez, Pauline, Morais, Renato A., Hutson, Kate S., McCormick, Mark I. and Grutter, Alexandra S. (2021). Habitat degradation drives increased gnathiid isopod ectoparasite infection rate on juvenile but not adult fish. Coral Reefs, 40 (6), 1867-1877. doi: 10.1007/s00338-021-02166-y
Narvaez, Pauline, Yong, Russell Qi-Yung, Grutter, Alexandra Sara and Hutson, Kate Suzanne (2021). Are cleaner fish clean?. Marine Biology, 168 (5) 59. doi: 10.1007/s00227-021-03858-3
Paula, José Ricardo, Sun, Derek, Pissarra, Vasco, Narvaez, Pauline, Rosa, Rui, Grutter, Alexandra S. and Sikkel, Paul C. (2021). The role of corals on the abundance of a fish ectoparasite in the Great Barrier Reef. Coral Reefs, 40 (2), 535-542. doi: 10.1007/s00338-021-02051-8
Narvaez, Pauline, Vaughan, David Brendan, Grutter, Alexandra Sara and Hutson, Kate Suzanne (2021). New perspectives on the role of cleaning symbiosis in the possible transmission of fish diseases. Reviews in Fish Biology and Fisheries, 31 (2), 233-251. doi: 10.1007/s11160-021-09642-2
Ros, Albert F. H., Nusbaumer, David, Triki, Zegni, Grutter, Alexandra S. and Bshary, Redouan (2020). The impact of long-term reduced access to cleaner fish on health indicators of resident client fish. The Journal of Experimental Biology, 223 (24) jeb231613, 1-10. doi: 10.1242/jeb.231613
Shodipo, Mary O., Duong, Berilin, Graba-Landry, Alexia, Grutter, Alexandra S. and Sikkel, Paul C. (2020). Effect of acute seawater temperature increase on the survival of a fish ectoparasite. Oceans, 1 (4) 16, 215-236. doi: 10.3390/oceans1040016
Allan, Bridie J M, Illing, Björn, Fakan, Eric P., Narvaez, Pauline, Grutter, Alexandra S., Sikkel, Paul C., McClure, Eva C., Rummer, Jodie L. and McCormick, Mark I. (2020). Parasite infection directly impacts escape response and stress levels in fish. The Journal of Experimental Biology, 223 (Pt 16) jeb230904, jeb230904. doi: 10.1242/jeb.230904
Grutter, Alexandra S., Bejarano, Sonia, Cheney, Karen L., Goldizen, Anne W., Sinclair-Taylor, Tane and Waldie, Peter A. (2020). Effects of the cleaner fish Labroides dimidiatus on grazing fishes and coral reef benthos. Marine Ecology Progress Series, 643, 99-114. doi: 10.3354/meps13331
Grutter, Alexandra S., Feeney, William E., Hutson, Kate S., McClure, Eva C., Narvaez, Pauline, Smit, Nico J., Sun, Derek and Sikkel, Paul C. (2020). Practical methods for culturing parasitic gnathiid isopods. International Journal for Parasitology, 50 (10-11), 825-837. doi: 10.1016/j.ijpara.2020.03.014
Paula, José Ricardo, Otjacques, Eve, Hildebrandt, Courtney, Grutter, Alexandra S. and Rosa, Rui (2020). Ocean acidification does not affect fish ectoparasite survival. Oceans, 1 (1) 3, 27-33. doi: 10.3390/oceans1010003
Grutter, Alexandra S., Amon, Angelique, Green, Alison L. and Vaughan, David B. (2020). Clownfish Amphiprion polymnus wound cleaned by Ancylomenes sp. cleaner shrimp. Galaxea, Journal of Coral Reef Studies, 22 (1), 7-8. doi: 10.3755/galaxea.22.1_7
Sikkel, P. C., Richardson, M. A., Sun, D., Narvaez, P., Feeney, W. E. and Grutter, A. S. (2019). Changes in abundance of fish-parasitic gnathiid isopods associated with warm-water bleaching events on the northern Great Barrier Reef. Coral Reefs, 38 (4), 721-730. doi: 10.1007/s00338-019-01835-3
Grutter, A. S., Blomberg, S. P., Box, S., Bshary, R., Ho, O., Madin, E. M. P., McClure, E. C., Meekan, M. G., Murphy, J. M., Richardson, M. A., Sikkel, P. C., Sims, C. A., Sun, D. and Warner, R. R. (2019). Changes in local free-living parasite populations in response to cleaner manipulation over 12 years. Oecologia, 190 (4), 783-797. doi: 10.1007/s00442-019-04451-8
Duong, B., Blomberg, S. P., Cribb, T. H., Cowman, P. F., Kuris, A. M., McCormick, M. I., Warner, R. R., Sun, D. and Grutter, A. S. (2019). Parasites of coral reef fish larvae: its role in the pelagic larval stage. Coral Reefs, 38 (2), 199-214. doi: 10.1007/s00338-019-01766-z
Wismer, Sharon, Pinto, Ana I., Triki, Zegni, Grutter, Alexandra S., Roche, Dominique G. and Bshary, Redouan (2019). Cue-based decision rules of cleaner fish in a biological market task. Animal Behaviour, 158, 249-260. doi: 10.1016/j.anbehav.2019.09.013
Hutson, Kate S., Cable, Joanne, Grutter, Alexandra S., Paziewska-Harris, Anna and Barber, Iain (2018). Aquatic parasite cultures and their applications. Trends in Parasitology, 34 (12), 1082-1096. doi: 10.1016/j.pt.2018.09.007
Quimbayo, Juan Pablo, Cantor, Mauricio, Dias, Murilo S., Grutter, Alexandra S., Gingins, Simon, Becker, Justine H. A. and Floeter, Sergio R. (2018). The global structure of marine cleaning mutualistic networks. Global Ecology and Biogeography, 27 (10), 1238-1250. doi: 10.1111/geb.12780
Vaughan, David B., Grutter, Alexandra S. and Hutson, Kate S. (2018). Cleaner shrimp are a sustainable option to treat parasitic disease in farmed fish. Scientific Reports, 8 (1) 13959, 13959. doi: 10.1038/s41598-018-32293-6
Vaughan, David B., Grutter, Alexandra S., Ferguson, Hugh W., Jones, Rhondda and Hutson, Kate S. (2018). Cleaner shrimp are true cleaners of injured fish. Marine Biology, 165 (7) 118. doi: 10.1007/s00227-018-3379-y
Binning, Sandra A., Roche, Dominique G., Grutter, Alexandra S, Colosio, Simona, Sun, Derek, Miest, Joanna and Bshary, Redouan (2018). Cleaner wrasse indirectly affect the cognitive performance of a damselfish through ectoparasite removal. Proceedings. Biological sciences, 285 (1874) 20172447, 20172447. doi: 10.1098/rspb.2017.2447
Vaughan, David B., Grutter, Alexandra S. and Hutson, Kate S. (2018). Cleaner shrimp remove parasite eggs on fish cages. Aquaculture Environment Interactions, 10, 429-436. doi: 10.3354/aei00280
Grutter, A. S., de Brauwer, M., Bshary, R., Cheney, K. L., Cribb, T. H., Madin, E. M.P., McClure, E. C., Meekan, M. G., Sun, D., Warner, R. R., Werminghausen, J. and Sikkel, P. C. (2017). Parasite infestation increases on coral reefs without cleaner fish. Coral Reefs, 37 (1), 1-10. doi: 10.1007/s00338-017-1628-z
Vaughan, David Brendan, Grutter, Alexandra Sara, Costello, Mark John and Hutson, Kate Suzanne (2017). Cleaner fishes and shrimp diversity and a re-evaluation of cleaning symbioses. Fish and Fisheries, 18 (4), 698-716. doi: 10.1111/faf.12198
Triki, Zegni, Bshary, Redouan, Grutter, Alexandra S. and Ros, Albert F. H. (2017). The arginine-vasotocin and serotonergic systems affect interspecific social behaviour of client fish in marine cleaning mutualism. Physiology and Behavior, 174, 136-143. doi: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2017.03.011
Grutter, A. S., Blomberg, S. P., Fargher, B., Kuris, A. M., McCormick, M. I. and Warner, R. R. (2017). Size-related mortality due to gnathiid isopod micropredation correlates with settlement size in coral reef fishes. Coral Reefs, 36 (2), 1-11. doi: 10.1007/s00338-016-1537-6
Triki, Zegni, Grutter, Alexandra S., Bshary, Redouan and Ros, Albert F. H. (2016). Effects of short-term exposure to ectoparasites on fish cortisol and hematocrit levels. Marine Biology, 163 (187) 187. doi: 10.1007/s00227-016-2959-y
Grutter, Alexandra S. and Feeney, William E. (2016). Equivalent cleaning in a juvenile facultative and obligate cleaning wrasse: an insight into the evolution of cleaning in labrids?. Coral Reefs, 35 (3), 991-997. doi: 10.1007/s00338-016-1460-x
Wismer, Sharon, Grutter, Alexandra and Bshary, Redouan (2016). Generalized rule application in bluestreak cleaner wrasse (Labroides dimidiatus): using predator species as social tools to reduce punishment. Animal Cognition, 19 (4), 769-778. doi: 10.1007/s10071-016-0975-4
Sun, D., Cheney, K.L., Werminghausen, J., McClure, E.C., Meekan, M.G., McCormick, M.I., Cribb, T.H. and Grutter, A.S. (2016). Cleaner wrasse influence habitat selection of young damselfish. Coral Reefs, 35 (2), 427-436. doi: 10.1007/s00338-015-1391-y
Luiz, Osmar J., Madin, Elizabeth M. P., Madin, Joshua S., Baird, Andrew H. and Grutter, Alexandra S. (2016). A tropical cleaner wrasse finds new clients at the frontier. Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment, 14 (2), 110-111. doi: 10.1002/fee.1232
Messias, Joao P. M., Paula, Jose R., Grutter, Alexandra S., Bshary, Redouan and Soares, Marta C. (2016). Dopamine disruption increases negotiation for cooperative interactions in a fish. Scientific Reports, 6 (Art No.: 20817) 20817, 20817. doi: 10.1038/srep20817
Eckes, Maxi, Dove, Sophie, Siebeck, Ulrike E. and Grutter, Alexandra S. (2015). Fish mucus versus parasitic gnathiid isopods as sources of energy and sunscreens for a cleaner fish. Coral Reefs, 34 (3), 823-833. doi: 10.1007/s00338-015-1313-z
Sun, Derek, Cheney, Karen L., Werminghausen, Johanna, Meekan, Mark G., McCormick, Mark I., Cribb, Thomas H. and Grutter, Alexandra S. (2015). Presence of cleaner wrasse increases the recruitment of damselfishes to coral reefs. Biology Letters, 11 (8) 20150456, 1-5. doi: 10.1098/rsbl.2015.0456
Paula, Jose R., Messias, Joao P., Grutter, Alexandra S., Bshary, Redouan and Soares, Marta C. (2015). The role of serotonin in the modulation of cooperative behavior. Behavioral Ecology, 26 (4), 1005-1012. doi: 10.1093/beheco/arv039
Cardoso, Sónia C., Grutter, Alexandra S., Paula, José R., André, Gonçalo I., Messias, João P., Gozdowska, Magdalena, Kulczykowska, Ewa and Soares, Marta C. (2015). Forebrain neuropeptide regulation of pair association and behavior in cooperating cleaner fish. Physiology & Behavior, 145, 1-7. doi: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2015.03.024
Bonaldo, Roberta M., Grutter, Alexandra S., Sazima, Ivan and Krajewski, Joao Paulo (2014). 24/7 service: nocturnal cleaning in a tropical Indo-Pacific reef. Marine Biodiversity, 45 (4), 611-612. doi: 10.1007/s12526-014-0289-1
Soares, Marta C., Cardoso, Sonia C., Grutter, Alexandra S., Oliveira, Rui F. and Bshary, Redouan (2014). Cortisol mediates cleaner wrasse switch from cooperation to cheating and tactical deception. Hormones and Behavior, 66 (2), 346-350. doi: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2014.06.010
Wismer, Sharon, Pinto, Ana I., Vail, Alex L., Grutter, Alexandra S. and Bshary, Redouan (2014). Variation in cleaner wrasse cooperation and cognition: influence of the developmental environment?. Ethology, 120 (6), 519-531. doi: 10.1111/eth.12223
Sims, C. A., Riginos, C., Blomberg, S. P., Huelsken, T., Drew, J. and Grutter, A. S. (2014). Cleaning up the biogeography of Labroides dimidiatus using phylogenetics and morphometrics. Coral Reefs, 33 (1), 223-233. doi: 10.1007/s00338-013-1093-2
Cheney, Karen L., Grutter, Alexandra S. and Bshary, Redouan (2014). Geographical variation in the benefits obtained by a coral reef fish mimic. Animal Behaviour, 88, 85-90. doi: 10.1016/j.anbehav.2013.11.006
Zamzow, Jill P., Siebeck, Ulrike E., Eckes, Maxi J. and Grutter, Alexandra S. (2013). Ultraviolet-B Wavelengths Regulate Changes in UV Absorption of Cleaner Fish Labroides dimidiatus Mucus. PLoS One, 8 (10) e78527, e78527. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0078527
Gingins, Simon, Werminghausen, Johanna, Johnstone, Rufus A., Grutter, Alexandra S. and Bshary, Redouan (2013). Power and temptation cause shifts between exploitation and cooperation in a cleaner wrasse mutualism. Proceedings of the Royal Society B-Biological Sciences, 280 (1761) 20130553, 20130553. doi: 10.1098/rspb.2013.0553
Curtis, Lynda M., Grutter, Alexandra S., Smit, Nico J. and Davies, Angela J. (2013). Gnathia aureamaculosa, a likely definitive host of Haemogregarina balistapi and potential vector for Haemogregarina bigemina between fishes of the Great Barrier Reef, Australia. International Journal for Parasitology, 43 (5), 361-370. doi: 10.1016/j.ijpara.2012.11.012
Silvano, R. A. M., Tibbetts, I. R. and Grutter, A. S. (2012). Potential effects of fishing on cleaning interactions in a tropical reef. Coral Reefs, 31 (4), 1193-1198. doi: 10.1007/s00338-012-0950-8
Grutter, A. S. (2012). Enhanced colonization success and competition associated with conspecifics in cleaner fish Labroides dimidiatus juveniles. Coral Reefs, 31 (4), 1169-1176. doi: 10.1007/s00338-012-0942-8
Soares, Marta C., Bshary, Redouan, Mendonca, Rute, Grutter, Alexandra S. and Oliveira, Rui F. (2012). Arginine vasotocin regulation of interspecific cooperative behaviour in a cleaner fish. Plos One, 7 (7) e39583, e39583.1-e39583. 10. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0039583
Oates, J., Manica, A., Bshary, R. and Grutter, A. S. (2012). Relationship between roving behaviour and the diet and client composition of the cleaner fish Labroides bicolor. Journal of Fish Biology, 81 (1), 210-219. doi: 10.1111/j.1095-8649.2012.03330.x
Sun, D., Blomberg, S. P., Cribb, T. H., McCormick, M. I. and Grutter, A. S. (2012). The effects of parasites on the early life stages of a damselfish. Coral Reefs, 31 (4), 1065-1075. doi: 10.1007/s00338-012-0929-5
Raihani, N. J., Grutter, A. S. and Bshary, R. (2012). Female cleaner fish cooperate more with unfamiliar males. Royal Society of London. Proceedings B. Biological Sciences, 279 (1737), 2479-2486. doi: 10.1098/rspb.2012.0063
Raihani, Nichola J., Pinto, Ana I., Grutter, Alexandra S., Wismer, Sharon and Bshary, Redouan (2012). Male cleaner wrasses adjust punishment of female partners according to the stakes. Proceedings of the Royal Society B - Biological Sciences, 279 (1727), 365-370. doi: 10.1098/rspb.2011.0690
Smith, R. E., Grutter, A. S. and Tibbetts, I. R. (2012). Extreme habitat specialisation and population structure of two gorgonian-associated pygmy seahorses. Marine Ecology-Progress Series, 444 (10), 195-206. doi: 10.3354/meps09471
Clague, Gillian E., Cheney, Karen L., Goldizen, Anne W., McCormick, Mark I., Waldie, Peter A. and Grutter, Alexandra S. (2011). Long-term cleaner fish presence affects growth of a coral reef fish. Biology Letters, 7 (6), 863-865. doi: 10.1098/rsbl.2011.0458
Soares, Marta C., Oliveira, Rui F., Ros, Albert F.H., Grutter, Alexandra S. and Bshary, Redouan (2011). Tactile stimulation lowers stress in fish. Nature Communications, 2 (1) 534, 534.1-534.10. doi: 10.1038/ncomms1547
Wilson, George D. F., Sims, Carrie A. and Grutter, Alexandra S. (2011). Toward a taxonomy of the Gnathiidae (Isopoda) using juveniles: The external anatomy of Gnathia aureamaculosa Zuphea stages using scanning electron microscopy. Journal of Crustacean Biology, 31 (3), 509-522. doi: 10.1651/10-3432.1
Hayes, P. M., Smit, N. J., Grutter, A. S. and Davies, A. J. (2011). Unexpected response of a captive blackeye thicklip, Hemigymnus melapterus (Bloch), from Lizard Island, Australia, exposed to juvenile isopods Gnathia aureamaculosa Ferreira & Smit. Journal of Fish Diseases, 34 (7), 563-566. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2761.2011.01261.x
Pinto, Ana, Oates, Jennifer, Grutter, Alexandra and Bshary, Redouan (2011). Cleaner wrasses Labroides dimidiatus are more cooperative in the presence of an audience. Current Biology, 21 (13), 1140-1144. doi: 10.1016/j.cub.2011.05.021
Waldie, Peter A., Blomberg, Simon P., Cheney, Karen L., Goldizen, Anne W. and Grutter, Alexandra S. (2011). Long-term effects of the cleaner fish Labroides dimidiatus on coral reef fish communities. PLoS One, 6 (6) e21201, e21201-1-e21201-7. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0021201
Grutter, Alexandra S., Crean, Angela J., Curtis, Lynda M., Kuris, Armand M., Warner, Robert R. and McCormick, Mark I. (2011). Indirect effects of an ectoparasite reduce successful establishment of a damselfish at settlement. Functional Ecology, 25 (3), 586-594. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2435.2010.01798.x
Grutter, Alexandra S., Rumney, Jennifer G., Sinclair-Taylor, Tane, Waldie, Peter and Franklin, Craig E. (2011). Fish mucous cocoons: The ‘mosquito nets’ of the sea. Biology Letters, 7 (2), 292-294. doi: 10.1098/rsbl.2010.0916
Bshary, Redouan, Oliveira, Rui F. and Grutter, Alexandra S. (2011). Short-term variation in the level of cooperation in the cleaner wrasse Labroides dimidiatus: Implications for the role of potential stressors. Ethology, 117 (3), 246-253. doi: 10.1111/j.1439-0310.2010.01872.x
Clague, G. E., Newport, C. and Grutter, A. S. (2011). Intraspecific cleaning behaviour of adult cleaner wrasse, Labroides dimidiatus(Perciformes: Labridae). Marine Biodiversity Records, 4 e56, e56-1-e56-3. doi: 10.1017/S175526721100056X
Grutter, Alexandra (2010). Cleaner fish. Current Biology, 20 (13), R547-R549. doi: 10.1016/j.cub.2010.04.013
Grutter, A. S., Cribb, T. H., McCallum, H., Pickering, J. L. and McCormick, M. I. (2010). Effects of parasites on larval and juvenile stages of the coral reef fish Pomacentrus moluccensis. Coral Reefs, 29 (1), 31-40. doi: 10.1007/s00338-009-0561-1
Raihani, Nichola J., Grutter, Alexandra S. and Bshary, Redouan (2010). Punishers benefit from third-party punishment in fish. Science, 327 (5962), 171-171. doi: 10.1126/science.1183068
Davies, Angela J., Curtis, Lynda, Grutter, Alexandra S. and Smit, Nico J. (2009). Suspected viral erythrocytic necrosis (VEN) in a juvenile blackbar triggerfish, Rhinecanthus aculeatus, from Lizard Island, Great Barrier Reef, Australia. Marine Biodiversity Records, 2, e149.1-e149.4. doi: 10.1017/S1755267209990674
Ferreira, M.L., Smit, N.J., Grutter, A.S. and Davies, A.J. (2009). A New Species of Gnathiid (Crustacea: Isopoda) Parasitizing Teleosts from Lizard Island, Great Barrier Reef, Australia. Journal of Parasitology, 95 (5), 1066-1075. doi: 10.1645/GE-1920.1
Cheney, Karen L., Grutter, Alexandra S., Blomberg, Simon P. and Marshall, N. Justin (2009). Blue and yellow signal cleaning behaviour in coral reef fishes. Current Biology, 19 (15), 1283-1287. doi: 10.1016/j.cub.2009.06.028
Fogelman, Rachel M., Kuris, Armand M. and Grutter, Alexandra S. (2009). Parasitic castration of a vertebrate: Effect of the cymothoid isopod, Anilocra apogonae, on the five-lined cardinalfish, Cheilodipterus quinquelineatus. International Journal for Parasitology, 39 (5), 577-583. doi: 10.1016/j.ijpara.2008.10.013
Coetzee, Maryke L., Smit, Nico J., Grutter, Alexandra S. and Davies, Angela J. (2009). Gnathia trimaculata n. sp. (Crustacea: Isopoda: Gnathiidae), an ectoparasite found parasitising requiem sharks from off Lizard Island, Great Barrier Reef, Australia. Systematic Parasitology, 72 (2), 97-112. doi: 10.1007/s11230-008-9158-2
Grutter, A. S. (2009). Interactions between gnathiid isopods, cleaner fish and other fishes on Lizard Island, Great Barrier Reef. (vol 73, pg 2094, 2008). Journal of Fish Biology, 74 (3), 724-725. doi: 10.1111/j.1095-8649.2009.02187.x
Grutter, A.S. (2008). Interactions between gnathiid isopods, cleaner fish and other fishes on Lizard Island, Great Barrier Reef. Journal of Fish Biology, 73 (9), 2094-2109. doi: 10.1111/j.1095-8649.2008.02073.x
Bshary, R., Grutter, A.S., Willener, A.S. and Leimar, O. (2008). Pairs of cooperating cleaner fish provide better service quality than singletons. Nature, 455 (7215), 964-966. doi: 10.1038/nature07184
Cheney, Karen L., Bshary, Redouan and Grutter, Alexandra S. (2008). Cleaner fish cause predators to reduce aggression toward bystanders at cleaning stations. Behavioral Ecology, 19 (5), 1063-1067. doi: 10.1093/beheco/arn067
Fogelman, R. M. and Grutter, A. S. (2008). Mancae of the parasitic cymothoid isopod, Anilocra apogonae : early life history, host-specificity, and effect on growth and survival of preferred young cardinal fishes. Coral Reefs, 27 (3), 685-693. doi: 10.1007/s00338-008-0379-2
Jones, C. M. and Grutter, A. S. (2008). Reef-based micropredators reduce the growth of post-settlement damselfish in captivity. Coral Reefs, 27 (3), 677-684. doi: 10.1007/s00338-008-0383-6
Coetzee, M.L., Smit, N. J., Grutter, A. S. and Davies, A. J. (2008). A New Gnathiid (Crustacea: Isopoda) Parasitizing Two Species of Requiem Sharks from Lizard Island, Great Barrier Reef, Australia. Journal of Parasitology, 94 (3), 608-615. doi: 10.1645/GE-1391.1
Penfold, R., Grutter, A.S., Kuris, A.M., McCormick, M.I. and Jones, C.M. (2008). Interactions between juvenile marine fish and gnathiid isopods: predation versus micropredation. Marine Ecology-Progress Series, 357 (2), 111-119. doi: 10.3354/meps07312
Grutter, A. S., Pickering, J., McCallum, H. I. and McCormick, M. I. (2008). Impact of micropredatory gnathiid isopods on young coral reef fishes. Coral Reefs, 27 (3), 655-661. doi: 10.1007/s00338-008-0377-4
Jones, C.M., Miller, T.L., Grutter, A.S. and Cribb, T.H. (2008). Natatory-stage Cymothoid Isopods: Description, Molecular Identification and Evolution of Attachment. International Journal for Parasitology, 38 (3-4), 477-491. doi: 10.1016/j.ijpara.2007.07.013
Eckes, M. J., Siebeck, U. E., Dove, S. G. and Grutter, A. S. (2008). Ultraviolet sunscreens in reef fish mucus. Marine Ecology Progress Series, 353, 203-211. doi: 10.3354/meps07210
Cheney, Karen L., Grutter, Alexandra S. and Marshall, N. Justin (2008). Facultative mimicry: Cues for colour change and colour accuracy in a coral reef fish. Proceedings of the Royal Society of London. Series B, 275 (1631), 117-122. doi: 10.1098/rspb.2007.0966
Nagel, L. and Grutter, A. S. (2007). Host preference and specialization in Gnathia sp., a common parasitic isopod of coral reef fishes. Journal of Fish Biology, 70 (2), 497-508. doi: 10.1111/j.1095-8649.2007.01320.x
Jones, C. M. and Grutter, A. S. (2007). Variation in emergence of parasitic and predatory isopods among habitats at Lizard Island, Great Barrier Reef. Marine Biology, 150 (5), 919-927. doi: 10.1007/s00227-006-0416-z
Jones, C. M., Nagel, L., Hughes, G. L., Cribb, T. H. and Grutter, A. S. (2007). Host specificity of two species of Gnathia (Isopoda) determined by DNA sequencing blood meals. International Journal For Parasitology, 37 (8-9), 927-935. doi: 10.1016/j.ijpara.2007.01.011
Munoz, G., Grutter, A. and Cribb, T. (2007). Structure of the parasite communities of a coral reef fish assemblage (Labridae): Testing ecological and phylogenetic host factors. Journal of Parasitology, 93 (1), 17-30. doi: 10.1645/GE-969R.1
Nilsson, G. E., Ostlund-Nilsson, S., Penfold, R. and Grutter, A. S. (2007). From record performance to hypoxia tolerance: Respiratory transition in damselfish larvae settling on a coral reef. Proceedings of the Royal Society of London. Series B, 274 (1606), 79-85. doi: 10.1098/rspb.2006.3706
Floeter, Sergio. R., Vázquez, Diego P. and Grutter, Alexandra S. (2007). The macroecology of marine cleaning mutualisms SERGIO R. FLOETER1, DIEGO P. VÁZQUEZ1,2, ALEXANDRA S. GRUTTER3. Journal of Animal Ecology, 76 (1), 105-111. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2656.2006.01178.x
Bshary, Redouan and Grutter, Alexandra S. (2006). Image scoring and cooperation in a cleaner fish mutualism. Nature, 441 (7096), 975-978. doi: 10.1038/nature04755
Smit, Nico J., Grutter, Alexandra S., Adlard, Robert D. and Davies, Anjela J. (2006). Hematozoa of teleosts from Lizard Island, Australia with some comments on their possible mode of transmission and the description of a new hemogregarine species. Journal of Parasitology, 92 (4), 778-788. doi: 10.1645/GE-756R.1
Munoz Cerda, G. I., Grutter, A and Cribb, T H (2006). Endoparasite communities of five fish species (Labridae : Cheilininae) from Lizard Island: how important is the ecology and phylogeny of the hosts?. Parasitology, 132 (Pt 3), 363-374. doi: 10.1017/S0031182005009133
Ostlund-Nilsson, Sara, Curtis, Lynda, Nilsson, Goran E. and Grutter, Alexandra S. (2005). Parasitic isopod Anilocra apogonae, a drag for the cardinal fish Cheilodipterus quinquelineatus. Marine Ecology Progress Series, 287, 209-216. doi: 10.3354/meps287209
Becker, Justine H. A., Curtis, Lynda M. and Grutter, Alexandra S. (2005). Cleaner shrimp use a to advertise cleaning rocking dance service to clients. Current Biology, 15 (8), 760-764. doi: 10.1016/j.cub.2005.02.067
Sasal, Pierre, Thomas, Frederic and Grutter, Alexandra S. (2005). Behavioural aspects of parasitism. Marine Parasitology, 259-278.
Becker, J. H. A. and Grutter, A. S. (2005). Client fish ectoparasite loads and cleaner shrimp Urocaridella sp c hunger levels affect cleaning behaviour. Animal Behaviour, 70 (5), 991-996. doi: 10.1016/j.anbehav.2005.01.004
Grutter, A. S. and Jones, C. M. (2005). Parasitic isopods (Gnathia sp.) reduce haematocrit in captive blackeye thicklip (Labridae) on the Great Barrier Reef. Journal Of Fish Biology, 66 (3), 860-864. doi: 10.1111/j.0022-1112.2005.00640.x
Grutter, A. S., Glover, S. and Bshary, R. (2005). Does client size affect cleaner fish choice of client? An empirical test using client fish models. Journal of Fish Biology, 66 (6), 1748-1752. doi: 10.1111/j.0022-1112.2005.00709.x
McKiernan, John P., Grutter, Alexandra S. and Davies, Angela J. (2005). Reproductive and feeding ecology of parasitic gnathiid isopods of epaulette sharks (Hemiscyllium ocellatum) with consideration of their role in the transmission of a haemogregarine. International Journal For Parasitology, 35 (1), 19-27. doi: 10.1016/j.ijpara.2004.10.016
Bshary, R. and Grutter, A. S. (2005). Punishment and partner switching cause cooperative behaviour in a cleaning mutualism. Biology Letters, 1 (4), 396-399. doi: 10.1098/rsbl.2005.0344
Jones, Connor M., Grutter, Alexandra S. and Cribb, Thomas H. (2004). Cleaner fish become hosts: a novel form of parasite transmission. Coral Reefs, 23 (4), 521-529. doi: 10.1007/s00338-004-0411-0
Becker, J. H. and Grutter, A. S. (2004). Cleaner shrimp do clean. Coral Reefs, 23 (4), 515-520. doi: 10.1007/s00338-004-0429-3
Grutter, A. S. (2004). Cleaner fish use tactile dancing behavior as a preconflict management strategy. Current Biology, 14 (12), 1080-1083. doi: 10.1016/j.cub.2004.05.048
Grutter, A. S. and Bshary, R. (2004). Cleaner fish, Labroides dimidiatus, diet preferences for different types of mucus and parasitic gnathiid isopods. Animal Behaviour, 68 (3), 583-588. doi: 10.1016/j.anbehav.2003.11.014
Grutter, Alexandra S. and Bshary, Redouan (2003). Cleaner wrasse prefer client mucus: support for partner control mechanisms in cleaning interactions. Proceedings of The Royal Society of London Series B, 270 (Biology Letters Supp.2), S242-S244. doi: 10.1098/rsbl.2003.0077
Grutter, Alexandra S. (2003). Feeding ecology of the fish ectoparasite Gnathia sp. (Crustacea: Isopoda) from the Great Barrier Reef, and its implications for fish cleaning behaviour. Marine Ecology Progress Series, 259, 295-302. doi: 10.3354/meps259295
Jones, C., Grutter, A. and Cribb, T. H. (2003). Rhipidocotyle labroidei n. sp. (Digenea: Bucephalidae) from Labroides dimidiatus (Valenciennes) (Labridae). Zootaxa, 327, 1-5.
Munday, P. L., Schubert, M., Baggio, J. A., Jones, G. P., Caley, M. J. and Grutter, A. S. (2003). Skin toxins and external parasitism of coral-dwelling gobies. Journal of Fish Biology, 62 (4), 976-981. doi: 10.1046/j.1095-8649.2003.00078.x
Grutter, A. S., Murphy, J. M. and Choat, J. H. (2003). Cleaner fish drives local fish diversity on coral reefs. Current Biology, 13 (1), 64-67. doi: 10.1016/S0960-9822(02)01393-3
Bshary, R. and Grutter, A. S. (2002). Parasite distribution on client reef fish determines cleaner fish foraging patterns. Marine Ecology-progress Series, 235, 217-222. doi: 10.3354/meps235217
Grutter, A. S and Lester, R. J. G. (2002). Cleaner fish Labroides dimidiatus reduce 'temporary" parasitic corallanid isopods on the coral reef fish Hemigymnus melapterus. Marine Ecology-progress Series, 234, 247-255. doi: 10.3354/meps234247
Bshary, R. and Grutter, A. S. (2002). Asymmetric cheating opportunities and partner control in a cleaner fish mutualism. Animal Behaviour, 63 (3), 547-555. doi: 10.1006/anbe.2001.1937
Grutter, A. S., Deveney, M. R., Whittington, I. D. and Lester, R. J. G. (2002). The effect of the cleaner fish Labroides dimidiatus on the capsalid monogenean Benedenia lolo parasite of the labrid fish Hemigymnus melapterus. Journal of Fish Biology, 61 (5), 1098-1108. doi: 10.1006/jfbi.2002.2121
Bansemer, C., Grutter, A. S. and Poulin, R. (2002). Geographic variation in the behaviour of the cleaner fish Labroides dimidiatus (Labridae). Ethology, 108 (4), 353-366. doi: 10.1046/j.1439-0310.2002.00777.x
Bshary, R. and Grutter, A. S. (2002). Experimental evidence that partner choice is a driving force in the payoff distribution among cooperators or mutualists: the cleaner fish case. Ecology Letters, 5 (1), 130-136. doi: 10.1046/j.1461-0248.2002.00295.x
Grutter, A. S. (2002). Cleaning symbioses from the parasites' perspective. Parasitology, 124 (SUPPL.), S65-S81. doi: 10.1017/S0031182002001488
Tebbich, S., Bshary, R. and Grutter, A. S. (2002). Cleaner fish Labroides dimidiatus recognise familiar clients. Animal Cognition, 5 (3), 139-145. doi: 10.1007/s10071-002-0141-z
Grutter, A. S., McCallum, H. and Lester, R. J. G. (2002). Optimising cleaning behaviour: minimising the costs and maximising ectoparasite removal. Marine Ecology-progress Series, 234, 257-264. doi: 10.3354/meps234257
Grutter, A. S. (2001). Parasite infection rather than tactile stimulation is the proximate cause of cleaning behaviour in reef fish. Proceedings of The Royal Society of London Series B-biological Sciences, 268 (1474), 1361-1365. doi: 10.1098/rspb.2001.1658
Grutter, AS and Pankhurst, NW (2000). The effects of capture, handling, confinement and ectoparasite load on plasma levels of cortisol, glucose and lactate in the coral reef fish Hemigymnus melapterus. Journal of Fish Biology, 57 (2), 391-401. doi: 10.1006/jfbi.2000.1312
Grutter, A. S., Morgan, J. A. T. and Adlard, R. D. (2000). Characterising parasitie gnathiid isopod species and matching life stages with ribosomal DNA ITS2 sequences. Marine Biology, 136 (2), 201-205. doi: 10.1007/s002270050677
Grutter, Alexandra S., Lester, Robert J. G. and Greenwood, Jack (2000). Emergence rates from the benthos of the parasitic juveniles of gnathiid isopods. Marine Ecology Progress Series, 207, 123-127. doi: 10.3354/meps207123
Grutter, A. S. (2000). Ontogenetic variation in the diet of the cleaner fish Labroides dimidiatus and its ecological consequences. Marine Ecology Progress Series, 197, 241-246. doi: 10.3354/meps197241
Grutter, AS (1999). Fish cleaning behaviour in Noumea, New Caledonia. Marine and Freshwater Research, 50 (3), 209-212. doi: 10.1071/MF97078
Grutter, A. (1999). Diurnal variation in the abundance of juvenile parasitic gnathiid isopods on coral reef fish: implications for parasite-cleaner fish interactions. Coral Reefs, 18 (18), 187-191. doi: 10.1007/s003380050178
Grutter, A. (1999). Fish cleaning behaviour in Noumea, New Caledonia. Marine and Feshwater Research (50), 209-212.
Grutter, A. (1999). Infestation dynamics of gnathid isopod juveniles parasitic on the coral-reel fish Hemigymnus melapterus (Labridae). Marine Biology, 135 (135), 545-552. doi: 10.1007/s002270050655
Grutter, A. (1999). Cleaner Fish really do clean. Nature, 398 (6729), 672-673. doi: 10.1038/19443
Grutter, AS (1998). Habitat-related differences in the abundance of parasites from a coral reef fish: an indication of the movement patterns of Hemigymnus melapterus. Journal of Fish Biology, 53 (1), 49-57. doi: 10.1111/j.1095-8649.1998.tb00108.x
Grutter, AS and Poulin, R (1998). Cleaning of coral reef fishes by the wrasse Labroides dimidiatus: Influence of client body size and phylogeny. Copeia, 1998 (1), 120-127. doi: 10.2307/1447707
Grutter, A. S. and Poulin, R. (1998). Intraspecific and interspecific relationships between host size and the abundance of parasitic larval gnathiid isopods on coral reef fishes. Marine Ecology Progress Series, 164, 263-271. doi: 10.3354/meps164263
Grutter, AS (1997). Effect of the removal of cleaner fish on the abundance and species composition of reef fish. Oecologia, 111 (1), 137-143. doi: 10.1007/s004420050217
Grutter, AS (1997). Size-selective predation by the cleaner fish Labroides dimidiatus. Journal of Fish Biology, 50 (6), 1303-1308. doi: 10.1006/jfbi.1997.0401
Grutter, AS (1997). Spatiotemporal variation and feeding selectivity in the diet of the cleaner fish Labroides dimidiatus. Copeia, 1997 (2), 346-355. doi: 10.2307/1447754
Poulin, R and Grutter, AS (1996). Cleaning symbioses: Proximate and adaptive explanations. Bioscience, 46 (7), 512-517. doi: 10.2307/1312929
Grutter, AS (1996). Experimental demonstration of no effect by the cleaner wrasse Labroides dimidiatus (Cuvier and Valenciennes) on the host fish Pomacentrus moluccensis (Bleeker). Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology, 196 (1-2), 285-298. doi: 10.1016/0022-0981(95)00135-2
Grutter, A. (1996). Parasite removal rates by the cleaner wrasse Labroides dimidiatus. Marine Ecology Progress Series, 130 (1-3), 61-70. doi: 10.3354/meps130061
Grutter, A. S. (1995). Relationship Between Cleaning Rates and Ectoparasite Loads in Coral-Reef Fishes. Marine Ecology Progress Series, 118 (1-3), 51-58. doi: 10.3354/meps118051
Grutter, AS (1995). Comparison of methods for sampling ectoparasites from coral reef fishes. Marine and Freshwater Research, 46 (6), 897-903. doi: 10.1071/MF9950897
Grutter, A. S. (1994). Spatial and Temporal Variations of the Ectoparasites of 7 Reef Fish Species From Lizard-Island and Heron-Island, Australia. Marine Ecology Progress Series, 115 (1-2), 21-30. doi: 10.3354/meps115021
Conference Papers
Farquharson, C., Smit, N. J., Grutter, A. S. and Davies, A. J. (2009). A new Gnathia sp. (Crustacea: Isopoda: Gnathiidae) from Lizard Island, Great Barrier Reef, Australia. 37th Annual Congress of the Parasitological Society of Southern Africa: Parasites in a changing environment, Pretoria, South Africa, 1-3 October 2008. Pretoria, South Africa: South African Veterinary Association.
Jones, C., Grutter, A. and Cribb, T. H. (2003). Cleaner fish become hosts: a novel form of parasite transmission. The 2003 Annual Conference of the Australian Marine Sciences Association, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, 9 - 11 July, 2003. Brisbane, Australia: Australian Marine Sciences Association.
Grutter, A. and Bshary, R. (2003). Cleaner fish prefer client mucus: support for partner control mechanisms in cleaning interactions. Marine Biocomplexity: The 2003 Annual Conference of the Australian Marine Sciences Association, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, 9 - 11 July 2003. Brisbane, Australia: Australian Marine Sciences Association.
Fury, C. A. and Grutter, A. (2003). Preliminary results for a study on parasite removal using chemical baths and the effect of captivity on the ectoparasites of coral trout Plectropomus leopardus. Marine Biocomplexity: The 2003 Annual Conference of the Australian Marine Sciences Association, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, 9 - 11 July 2003. Brisbane, Australia: Australian Marine Sciences Association.
Curtis, L. M., Ostlund-Nilsson, S., Nilsson, G. and Grutter, A. (2003). The isopod Anilocra apogonae affects the physiology and behaviour of its host fish Cheilodipterus quinquelineatus. Marine Biocomplexity: The 2003 Annual Conference of the Australian Marine Sciences Association, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, 9 - 11 July 2003. Brisbane, Australia: Australian Marine Sciences Association.
Becker, J. H. and Grutter, A. (2003). Cleaner shrimp do clean. Marine Biocomplexity: The 2003 Annual Conference of the Australian Marine Sciences Association, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, 9 - 11 July 2003. Brisbane, Australia: Australian Marine Sciences Association.
McCracken, P. D., Tibbetts, I. R. and Grutter, A. (2003). Direct effects of crab grazing on algal community structure: implications for the health of hard corals?. Australian Coral Reef Society 80th Annual Conference, Jupiters Hotel/Casino, Townsville, Queensland, 26 - 29 September 2003. Townsville, Australia: The Australian Coral Reef Society.
Becker, J. H. and Grutter, A. (2003). Mechanisms that motivate cleaner shrimp to clean: a market design. Australian Coral Reef Society 80th Annual Conference, Jupiters Hotel/Casino, Townsville, Queensland, 26 - 29 September 2003. Townsville, Australia: The Australian Coral Reef Society.
Deveney, M. R., Whittington, I. and Grutter, A. (1999). Aspects of the interactions between cleaner fish, benedeniine monogenean parasites and their hosts. Annual Scientific Meeting of the Australian Society for Parasitology, Yeppoon, Central Qld, 26-30 September 1999. Brisbane: Aust. Society for Parasitology.
Deveney, M. R., Whittington, I. and Grutter, A. (1999). Interactions between cleaner fish, benedeniine monogeneans and their hosts. V International Symposium on Fish Parasites, České Budéjovice, Czech Republic, 9-13 August 1999. České Budéjovice, Czech Republic: Institute of Parasitology, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic.