Habituation and learning in lumpsuckers during interaction with Atlantic salmon, with focus on behaviour and physiology

The project aims to study the relationship between lumpsuckers (Cyclopterus lumpus) and Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) in aquaculture, where lumpsuckers are used to graze ectoparasitic sea lice from salmon. Cleaning behavior is a rare and unique mutualistic symbiosis, and the project will focus on evolutionary adaptations, and how a greater understanding of habituation and learning could participate in optimizing commercial usage.