Editing Remora (section)

== Characteristics ==
Remora front dorsal fins have evolved to enable them to adhere by suction to smooth surfaces, and they spend most of their lives clinging to a [[Host (biology)|host animal]] such as a [[whale]], [[turtle]], [[shark]] or [[Batoidea|ray]]. It is probably a [[Mutualism (biology)|mutualistic]] arrangement as the remora can move around on the host, removing ectoparasites and loose flakes of skin, while benefiting from the protection provided by the host and the constant flow of water across its gills.<ref>{{cite news |title=How does the Remora develop its sucker? |author=Jackson, John |url=http://www.nhm.ac.uk/natureplus/blogs/science-news/2012/11/30/how-does-the-remora-develop-its-sucker?fromGateway=true |newspaper=National History Museum |date=30 November 2012 |access-date=2 January 2016}}</ref>  Although many believe that remoras feed off particulate matter from the host's meals, some posit alternative theories; they claim their diets to be [[Coprophagia|composed primarily of host feces]].<ref>{{cite journal|doi=10.1046/j.1095-8649.2003.00236.x|title=Echeneid-sirenian associations, with information on sharksucker diet|journal=Journal of Fish Biology|volume=63|issue=5|pages=1176|year=2003|last1=Williams|first1=E. H.|last2=Mignucci-Giannoni|first2=A. A.|last3=Bunkley-Williams|first3=L.|last4=Bonde|first4=R. K.|last5=Self-Sullivan|first5=C.|last6=Preen|first6=A.|last7=Cockcroft|first7=V. G.|bibcode=2003JFBio..63.1176W |citeseerx=10.1.1.619.4020}}</ref> Further research is needed to validate the extent of this alternative feeding mechanism.