Size assessment via a visual signal in snapping shrimp |
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Authors: | Melissa Hughes |
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Institution: | (1) Zoology Department, Duke University, Box 90325, Durham, NC 27708-0325, USA, US |
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Abstract: | Snapping shrimp are highly aggressive decapod crustaceans, with large, asymmetric chelae. Body size determines the outcome
of both inter- and intrasexual interactions. Both the body and chela sizes of mated pairs are correlated, but the body size
correlation is significantly stronger. In competitive interactions between individuals of the same sex, larger individuals
usually win. Because the size of the major chela is a function of body size in both males and females, chela size could be
used to assess body size early in interactions, before engaging in more high risk behaviors. To determine whether the major
chela is used in size assessment, I presented shrimp with isolated chelae. Male snapping shrimp responded aggressively to
isolated chelae when they were fixed open in a display posture, and the degree of aggressive response depended on the relative
size of the chela. These data provide direct experimental evidence for the use of a visual signal in size assessment. Females,
in contrast, responded aggressively to both the open and closed chela, and their responses did not depend on relative size.
This sex difference in response may be due to differences in the value of certain resources, such as shelters, to males and
females: females may be more willing to respond aggressively regardless of the apparent size of their opponent, in order to
acquire more reliable information regarding size, motivation or fighting ability.
Received: 30 December 1994/Accepted after revision: 14 August 1995 |
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Keywords: | Visual signals Size assessment Sex differences Snapping shrimp |
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