Intraspecific competition and aggression for shells in the hermit crab Pagurus samuelis

被引:3
作者
Absher, MD
Peeke, HVS
Chang, ES
Snyder, MJ
机构
[1] Univ Calif Davis, Bodega Marine Lab, Bodega Bay, CA 94923 USA
[2] Univ Calif San Francisco, Dept Psychiat, San Francisco, CA 95431 USA
来源
MARINE AND FRESHWATER BEHAVIOUR AND PHYSIOLOGY | 2001年 / 34卷 / 02期
基金
美国海洋和大气管理局;
关键词
aggression; hermit crab; Pagurus samuelis; shell use;
D O I
10.1080/10236240109379064
中图分类号
Q17 [水生生物学];
学科分类号
071004 ;
摘要
Many studies have investigated shell-related behaviour in hermit crabs. Few studies, however, have focused specifically on the intraspecies aggression associated with shell competition. We examined intraspecies aggression in hermit crab (Pagurus samuelis) pairs as it relates to competition for a limiting resource, gastropod shells. Pairs of hermit crabs were observed in the laboratory in four different treatments that varied the presence or absence of shells' for one or both of the crabs. Measurements of the latency to respond, the number of bouts, and the fight durations were recorded. There was a significant difference among treatments for all three measurements, and naked hermit crabs were much more aggressive than housed hermit crabs. There was no significant difference in aggression between males and females in any of the three treatments. The heightened aggression observed in naked P. samuelis is likely in service of acquiring a protective shell.
引用
收藏
页码:117 / 123
页数:7
相关论文
共 24 条