Individual clown anemonefish shrink to survive heat stress and social conflict

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By Melissa A. Versteeg et al, Science. 

Abstract: Vertebrate growth is generally considered to be unidirectional, but challenging environmental conditions, such as heatwaves, may disrupt normal growth patterns and affect individual survival. Here, we investigate the growth of individual clown anemonefish, Amphiprion percula, during a marine heatwave. ...Our results show that clown anemonefish shrink in response to heat stress.... Further, shrinking is modulated by social rank and size, and individuals that shrink more often and in a coordinated fashion with their breeding partner have higher survival during the heat stress event.... 

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