Variability of a dynamic visual signal: the fiddler crab claw-waving display
Date
2009
Authors
How, Martin
Zeil, Jochen
Hemmi, Jan
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Springer
Abstract
Fiddler crabs use elaborate, species-specific claw-waving displays to communicate with rivals and mates. However, detailed comparative studies of fiddler crab signal structure and structural variations are lacking. This paper provides an analysis of the claw-waving displays of seven Australian species of fiddler crab, Uca mjoebergi, U. perplexa, U. polita, U. seismella, U. signata, U. elegans and U. vomeris. We used digital video to record and analyse the fine-scale spatiotemporal properties of these movement-based visual signals. We found that the structure and timing of the displays is species-specific, exhibiting inter-specific differences that follow phylogenetic relationships. The displays showed intra-specific variation according to individual identity, geographic location and fine-scale behavioural context. The observed differences and variations are discussed in the light of the evolutionary forces that may shape their design.
Description
Keywords
Keywords: animal; article; Brachyura; classification; histology; movement (physiology); nonlinear system; phylogeny; physiology; sexual behavior; social behavior; species difference; videorecording; vision; Animals; Brachyura; Movement; Nonlinear Dynamics; Phylogen Claw-wave; Dynamic visual signal; Fiddler crab; Sensory ecology; Signal variation
Citation
Collections
Source
Journal of Comparative Physiology A: Sensory, Neural, and Behavioral Physiology
Type
Journal article
Book Title
Entity type
Access Statement
License Rights
Restricted until
2037-12-31
Downloads
File
Description