Force and dominance in the agonistic behavior of the freshwater crabPotamon fluviatile

Gabbanini, F.; Gherardi, Francesca; Vannini, Marco

doi:10.1002/1098-2337(1995)21:6<451::aid-ab2480210605>3.0.co;2-l

Cited by 20 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 26 publications

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“…In addition to foundation species structure, crab morphology impacted ritualized aggression interactions and their outcomes ( Figure 4). As has been observed in numerous species [27,35,36], larger individuals and those with larger weaponry (claws) were more likely to win interactions. Increases in size and relative claw sizes were also associated with costlier behavioral steps (i.e., less shield posture, more display), while decreasing differences in relative claw size increased the likelihood that a competitor would fall in the water.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 63%

Individual Morphology and Habitat Structure Alter Social Interactions in a Range-Shifting Species

et al. 2019

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Ecosystem engineers that serve as foundation species shape the ecology and behavior of the species which depend on them. As species shift their geographic ranges into ecosystems they have not previously inhabited, it is important to understand how interactions with novel foundation species alter their behavior. By employing behavioral assays and morphological analyses, we examined how individual morphology and foundation species structure impact the ritualistic aggression behavior of the range shifting mangrove tree crab Aratus pisonii between its historic and colonized habitats. Structure of the foundation species of the colonized salt marsh ecosystem increases the incidence and risk of this behavior over the historic mangrove habitat, potentially negating benefits of ritualizing aggression. Further, docks within the salt marsh, which are structurally analogous to mangroves, mitigate some, but not all, of the increased costs of performing ritualized aggression. Crabs in the salt marsh also had relatively larger claws than conspecifics from the dock and mangrove habitats, which has implications for the risk and outcomes of ritualized interactions. These changes to morphology and behavior highlight the impacts that foundation species structure can have on the morphology, ecology, and behavior of organisms and the importance of studying these impacts in range shifting species.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 63%

Individual Morphology and Habitat Structure Alter Social Interactions in a Range-Shifting Species

et al. 2019

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“…This finding is based on the assumption that the extensor muscle occupies most of the space in this unit of the appendage, which we observed through dissections in this and other studies. The muscle physiology may vary within the constraints of the available space (Taylor 2001), but many studies on crab claws have shown that shape of the claw is a good proxy for muscle force (Blundon 1988; Lee 1993; Gabbanini et al 1995; Levinton et al 1995; Block and Rebach 1998; Schenk and Wainwright 2001; Taylor 2001; Mitchell et al 2003; Claverie and Smith 2007). Although a more rigorous evaluation of muscle performance in relation to size would be needed, we can reasonably assume that muscle force increases proportionally to muscle shape and size, as seen in other crustaceans (Mitchell et al 2003; Claverie and Smith 2007).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Modularity and Scaling in Fast Movements: Power Amplification in Mantis Shrimp

2010

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Extremely fast animal actions are accomplished with mechanisms that reduce the duration of movement. This process is known as power amplification. Although many studies have examined the morphology and performance of power-amplified systems, little is known about their development and evolution. Here, we examine scaling and modularity in the powerful predatory appendages of a mantis shrimp, Gonodactylaceus falcatus (Crustacea, Stomatopoda). We propose that power-amplified systems can be divided into three units: an engine (e.g., muscle), an amplifier (e.g., spring), and a tool (e.g., hammer). We tested whether these units are developmentally independent using geometric morphometric techniques that quantitatively compare shapes. Additionally, we tested whether shape and several mechanical features are correlated with size and sex. We found that the morphological regions that represent the engine, amplifier, and tool belong to independent developmental modules. In both sexes, body size was positively correlated with the size of each region. Shape, however, changed allometrically with appendage size only in the amplifier (both sexes) and tool (males). These morphological changes were correlated with strike force and spring force (amplifier), but not spring stiffness (amplifier). Overall, the results indicate that each functional unit belongs to different developmental modules in a power-amplified system, potentially allowing independent evolution of the engine, amplifier, and tool. K E Y W O R D S :Geometric morphometrics, raptorial appendage shape, scaling, Stomatopoda, strike force.Fast biological movements fascinate biologists for their remarkable biomechanical designs and behavioral feats. Studies of these systems have formed the foundation of a field focused on power amplification-the mechanism by which organisms reduce the time to perform a movement (Alexander and Bennet-Clark 1977; Alexander 1983); however, little attention has been given to the evolution of their morphology. Studies of the modular organization of organisms have brought fundamental insights to the understanding of the development and evolution of traits and organs

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“…Therefore the assessment of an opponent's strength may be crucial in making strategic decisions in this species and may enable crabs to decide whether or not to escalate since the behaviour of winners and losers is very different from an early stage in shore crab ®ghts (Sneddon et al, 1997b). This agrees with research carried out on the freshwater crab Potamon¯uviatile, in which claw strength was important in the establishment of dominance hierarchies, but only in female crabs and not males (Gabbanini, Gherardi & Vannini, 1995). Claw dimensions but not claw force was found to be an important predictor of ®ght outcome in symmetrical contests between lobsters Homarus americanus (Vye et al, 1997), however, in this study the lobsters were kept for differing lengths of captivity (up to 4 weeks).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Weapon strength and competitive success in the fights of shore crabs (Carcinus maenas)

et al. 2000

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Weapon size has been shown to be a better predictor of competitive success than body size (carapace width) in ®ghts between shore crabs, Carcinus maenas. However, when the weapon size disparity is small between two opponents, it is still dif®cult to predict the victor. The role of weapon strength in pairwise ®ghts between male shore crabs was investigated, to determine if relative force in¯uences contest content, duration and outcome. Weapon strength was ascertained using a force transducer on live crabs, then ®ghts between crabs were staged between size matched males. Winning crabs had major (crusher) claws and minor (cutter) claws that exerted a signi®cantly greater force than losing crabs even when claw length was the same. Winners and losers were matched for carapace width, claw length and dactyl length but not claw height or claw length minus the dactyl. Winners had greater claw height and claw length to the dactyl in the major claw giving them a higher mechanical advantage when closing the claw and thus exerting a greater force. The forces exerted by the major and minor claws were analysed for any relationship between force and morphological measurements. Winning crabs appear to be ®tter in having a better claw structure which exerts a greater force and they are more successful in agonistic interactions.

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Force and dominance in the agonistic behavior of the freshwater crabPotamon fluviatile

Cited by 20 publications

References 26 publications

Individual Morphology and Habitat Structure Alter Social Interactions in a Range-Shifting Species

Individual Morphology and Habitat Structure Alter Social Interactions in a Range-Shifting Species

Modularity and Scaling in Fast Movements: Power Amplification in Mantis Shrimp

Weapon strength and competitive success in the fights of shore crabs (Carcinus maenas)

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