Meeting Abstract
Remoras (Family Echeneidae) are commonly observed attached to a variety of hosts (e.g. sharks, turtles, and marine mammals) using a cranial adhesive disc derived from dorsal fin elements. Previous studies have focused on the functional morphology of the remora adhesive disc; however, limited research has been performed to determine if remoras have preferential adhesion locations on their hosts, or if attachment position is random and opportunistic. Here we investigate remora attachment locations on sharks, billfish, turtles, baleen whales, dolphins, and manatees. Using a morphologically anchored grid based on general anatomical features shared by the range of host organisms, we established frequency of attachment along positions on the host bodies. The grid was applied to photographs and video documentation of remoras attached to host organisms to quantify zones of preferential adhesion. In future work, we will compare the locations of high remora density to computational fluid dynamics analysis of the host organisms to determine if there is a hydrodynamic benefit to attachment locations.
