Supplemental-data_cleaner-blue-saturation_ecology-letters_PV-RG-CO

Mutualisms are drivers of global biodiversity and are maintained via signaling between interacting parties. In marine cleaning mutualisms, where ‘cleaners’ remove ectoparasites from ‘clients’, guild coloration signals have evolved across dedicated cleaner species. Cleaner coloration is condition-dependent, but the extent to which the guild coloration saturation determines service quality remains unclear. Using <i>in situ </i>artificial cleaner experiments, standardized photography, and natural observations of the Caribbean neon goby (<i>Elacatinus lobeli</i>), we show 1) Potential clients interact significantly more with artificial cleaners that match the blue saturation of real cleaners; and 2) Positive associations between <i>E. lobeli</i> blue saturation and cleaning frequency are dependent on client identity and ecology. This is the first time <i>in situ </i>methods have linked color signal saturation to cleaner service and has provided insight into how resource partitioning may play a role in determining the outcome of signaling on mutualistic service quality in diverse ecosystems.In this data depository, you find the raw data and R code for statistical analysis. In Addition, you find some supplemental figures and methodological additions.