The effects of claw regeneration on territory ownership and mating success in the fiddler crab Uca mjoebergi

Abstract

Underlying male quality is often reflected in the condition of sexually selected traits. In fiddler crabs, male success in both intra- and interspecific interactions is highly dependent on the size of the major claw. However, males are often forced to autotomize their major claw. Claw regeneration significantly altered the structure of a males' major claw in Uca mjoebergi. We found, however, that claw regeneration did not affect signal quality. Both males and females were unable to visually distinguish a regenerated claw from an original claw. Although regenerated males were inferior fighters, males were able to compensate for this fighting disadvantage by avoiding fights with other males. Regenerated males were, however, less likely to acquire and defend high-quality territories and consequently suffered a decrease in mating success.