Current Search: Crabs -- Behavior (x)
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- Title
- Host selection, chemical detection, and protection of the symbiotic pinnotherid crabs Dissodactylus crinitichelis and Clypeasterophilus rugatus associated with echinoderms.
- Creator
- Reeves, Misty N., Florida Atlantic University, Brooks, W. Randy
- Abstract/Description
-
Host selection by Dissodactylus crinitichelis and Clypeasterophilus rugatus for different echinoderms was investigated. Initial preference (within 24 h of collection) and preference after "conditioning" with an alternate host were compared. D. crinitichelis initially preferred its field host, the sand dollar Encope michelini, but after conditioning switched its host preference to a non-field host, the sea biscuit Clypeaster rosaceus. This switch in host preference after conditioning occurred...
Show moreHost selection by Dissodactylus crinitichelis and Clypeasterophilus rugatus for different echinoderms was investigated. Initial preference (within 24 h of collection) and preference after "conditioning" with an alternate host were compared. D. crinitichelis initially preferred its field host, the sand dollar Encope michelini, but after conditioning switched its host preference to a non-field host, the sea biscuit Clypeaster rosaceus. This switch in host preference after conditioning occurred despite consumption of numerous crabs (86 out of 167) by C. rosaceus. Clypeasterophilus rugatus initially preferred its field host, the sea biscuit Clypeaster rosaceus, but showed little change in host preference after conditioning. These results indicate significant behavioral differences in these closely related crabs in their association with echinoderms. Chemical detection by the crabs was investigated, and no significant use of chemical cues by adults or juveniles of either species was found, even though chemical responses have been observed in other closely related pinnotherid crabs. Using the checkered pufferfish, Sphoeroides testudineus, as a predator, the possibility that crabs may receive protection by living with echinoderms was also examined. Crabs with echinoderms survived significantly longer than crabs without echinoderms, which is the first direct evidence that these crabs are protected by associating with echinoderms.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2000
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fcla/dt/12697
- Subject Headings
- Pinnotheridae, Echinodermata, Crabs--Behavior
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- Behavior of the purple shore crab Hemigrapsus nudus Dana, 1851.
- Creator
- Jacoby, C. A., Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute
- Date Issued
- 1981
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/FCLA/DT/3336699
- Subject Headings
- Purple shore crab, Hemigrapsus nudus, Crabs--Behavior, Ethology
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- Ontogeny of behavior in the crab instars of the Dungeness crab, Cancer magister Dana 1852.
- Creator
- Jacoby, C. A., Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute
- Date Issued
- 1983
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/FCLA/DT/3327195
- Subject Headings
- Ontogeny, Dungeness crab, Cancer magister, Crabs--Behavior
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- Functional aspects of behavior and morphology in the decorator crab Microphrys Bicornutus (Latreille, 1825) (Crustacea: Brachyura: Mithracidae).
- Creator
- Salazar, Monique Alexandra, Brooks, W. Randy, Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, Department of Biological Sciences
- Abstract/Description
-
Masking or decorator crabs, conceal themselves partially through camouflage, by selecting or indiscriminately attaching materials from their environment to their exoskeleton. Functional aspects of decorating behavior and morphology in this group have not been documented. Using Microphrys bicornutus as a model species, this dissertation demonstrates clearly that decorating is an advantageous phenotype that has evolved to serve several functions. Decorating is a complex behavior that begins...
Show moreMasking or decorator crabs, conceal themselves partially through camouflage, by selecting or indiscriminately attaching materials from their environment to their exoskeleton. Functional aspects of decorating behavior and morphology in this group have not been documented. Using Microphrys bicornutus as a model species, this dissertation demonstrates clearly that decorating is an advantageous phenotype that has evolved to serve several functions. Decorating is a complex behavior that begins when a crab approaches an algal substrate and results in the attachment of algae to hooked setae on the exoskeleton. Once decorated, crabs remain motionless on the substrate until disturbed or until another behavior is initiated. This was confirmed for M. bicornutus, as crabs spent a significant amount of time feeding, remaining motionless, picking, and walking when compared to decorating. Crabs displayed agonistic behaviors during encounters with conspecifics conspecifics. These included both active aggressive behavior and display behavior. Crabs showed a decrease in motility during these encounters, helping maintain dispersed distributions, thereby decreasing intrsapecific encounters in the field. Trials were done to determine the effect of conspecifics, predators and feeding preferences on algal utilization. M. bicornutus showed a significant decrease in the amount of algae used for decoration in the highest density trials (i.e., 4 and 8 crabs). Agonistic displays and aggressive behavior between these crabs likely affected the time available for decorating. Decorated crabs isolated from an algal substrate were more likely to survive in the presence of either of two sympatric fish predators. Thus, being protected by the algal decoration on their exoskeletons. Trials also showed a parallel between algal consumption and algal materials used for decoration. In addition to its protective function, algae used by M. bicornutus for decoration simultaneously serve as short term food supplies for the crabs. Eleven morphologically complex structures were identified and mapped on the exoskeleton. Hooked setae were the primary structures used to attach algae to the crab’s body. Ten additional setal structures were present, including two novel types of setae. On the basis of location and morphological variation exhibited among these latter structures, a primary sensory function may be inferred.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2013
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA0004056
- Subject Headings
- Animal behavior, Camouflage (Biology), Crabs -- Behavior, Marine ecology, Predation (Biology)
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- Behavioral responses of the larvae of cancer magister Dana (1852) to light, pressure, and gravity.
- Creator
- Jacoby, C. A., Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute
- Date Issued
- 1982
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/FCLA/DT/3352191
- Subject Headings
- Dungeness crab, Crabs--Larvae, Larvae--Behavior, Light, Pressure, Gravity
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- A Novel Interaction: The thin stripe hermit Crab, Clibanarius vittatus, kills the Florida crown conch, Melongena corona, for its shell.
- Creator
- Cutter, Jennifer, Devlin, Donna, Florida Atlantic University, Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, Department of Biological Sciences
- Abstract/Description
-
The hermit crab Clibanarius vittatus kills Melongena corona solely to acquire a better fitting shell. This finding is contrary to previous studies, which found that hermit crabs of other species cannot kill gastropods or, in most instances, remove freshly dead gastropods from their shells. This interaction cannot be classified as predation because Melongena tissue was never consumed. Clibanarius killed Melongena only when by doing so they could trade up to a better fitting shell. It cannot be...
Show moreThe hermit crab Clibanarius vittatus kills Melongena corona solely to acquire a better fitting shell. This finding is contrary to previous studies, which found that hermit crabs of other species cannot kill gastropods or, in most instances, remove freshly dead gastropods from their shells. This interaction cannot be classified as predation because Melongena tissue was never consumed. Clibanarius killed Melongena only when by doing so they could trade up to a better fitting shell. It cannot be classified as competition because there is no opportunity for Melongena to gain from the interaction. Therefore the term “lethal eviction” is hereby proposed for this interaction. The ability to kill a gastropod to obtain a superior shell gives Clibanarius vittatus an evolutionary advantage over other hermit crab species. It is not known if the outcome of this interaction is widespread where both species occur or if it is confined to the study area.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2017
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004925, http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004925
- Subject Headings
- Crabs--Behavior., Crab culture., Predation (Biology), Adaptation (Physiology), Aquatic ecology., Intertidal ecology., Conservation biology.
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- The subtleties of camouflage and dietary preference of the decorator crab, Microphrys bicornutus Latreille (Decapoda: Brachyura).
- Creator
- Kilar, J. A., Lou, R. M., Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute
- Date Issued
- 1986
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/FCLA/DT/3353777
- Subject Headings
- Decapoda (Crustacea), Brachyura, Predator & prey, Algae, Crabs--Behavior, Camouflage (Biology), Animals--Food
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- The Role of Chemoreception and Host-Use on the Behavioral Ecology of the Pea Crab Tunicotheres moseri (Rathbun, 1918) in Tampa Bay, Florida.
- Creator
- Ambrosio, Louis J., Brooks, W. Randy, Florida Atlantic University
- Abstract/Description
-
The pinnotherid Tunicotheres moseri (Rathbun, 1918) is a common symbiont with various solitary ascidians throughout its reported range of Jamaica, Venezuela, and West Florida. Cues affecting host use and host recognition in the West Florida population were the focus ofthis study. T. moseri responded to conspecific and host generated chemical cues in the water column. Although host generated chemical cues were recognized by T. moseri, tactile cues triggered much stronger responses to host...
Show moreThe pinnotherid Tunicotheres moseri (Rathbun, 1918) is a common symbiont with various solitary ascidians throughout its reported range of Jamaica, Venezuela, and West Florida. Cues affecting host use and host recognition in the West Florida population were the focus ofthis study. T. moseri responded to conspecific and host generated chemical cues in the water column. Although host generated chemical cues were recognized by T. moseri, tactile cues triggered much stronger responses to host ascidians. Results of conditioning trials suggest that T. moseri is a generalist in host use and accepts novel host species after conditioning with Molgula occidentalis and Phallusia nigra. However, T. moseri prefers S. plicata after conditioning with novel host species. The results of this study suggest that any genetic divergence existing between geographically disjunct populations of T. moseri are probably due to limited dispersal potential rather than population specific host fidelity and host use characteristics.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2008
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00000724
- Subject Headings
- Marine animals--Physiology--Florida--Tampa Bay, Marine animals--Ecology--Florida--Tampa Bay, Crabs--Behavior--Florida--Tampa Bay, Rathbun, Mary Jane,--1860-1943--Research
- Format
- Document (PDF)