Weapon size versus body size as a predictor of winning in fights between shore crabs, Carcinus maenas (L.) |
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Authors: | Lynne U Sneddon Felicity A Huntingford Alan C Taylor |
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Institution: | (1) Division of Environmental and Evolutionary Biology, Institute of Biomedical and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8QQ, UK Tel.: (0141) 330 5985; e-mail: 9506043s@udcf.gla.ac.uk, GB |
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Abstract: | Relative body size (carapace width) and weapon size (chela length) were used as indicators of resource holding potential (RHP)
in the agonistic behaviour of male shore crabs, Carcinus maenas (L.). Weapon size was found to be a more reliable predictor of the outcome of pairwise fights than body size. Crabs with
longer chelae than their opponents were more likely to win fights than crabs with relatively larger bodies. Body size had
less influence on the outcome of fights. Relative body and weapon size did not influence initiation of contests but did affect
the likelihood of winning; however, this was significant only for weapon size. Winning crabs had heavier claws with greater
surface area than losing crabs. There was no relationship between relative size and fight duration. The frequency of cheliped
display increased with chela length and win- ners performed significantly more displays than losers.
Received: 5 February 1997 / Accepted after revision: 20 May 1997 |
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Keywords: | Agonistic behaviour Relative size Shore crab Carcinus maenas Resource holding potential |
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