Abstract
Large males ofIlyoplax pusilla engage in 2 unique antineighbor behaviors, i.e., the building of a barricade of mud close to the neighbor's burrow, and plugging the entrance of the neighbor's burrow with mud. Correlation of these two behaviors to other behaviors was studied through field observations. Burrow-plugging was more frequent in May–June, when males waved actively, than in August, when waving was less frequent but foraging activity was higher. Frequency of daily burrow-plugging activity correlated well with that of waving, but not with that of foraging. These data suggest that burrowplugging is related to reproductive activities rather than feeding. The relationship of barricading to either waving or feeding was unclear.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Clayton, D.A. 1988 Hood construction as a spacing mechanism inCleistostoma kuwaitense (Crustacea: Ocypodidae).Mar. Biol. 99: 57–61.
Christy J.H. 1988 Pillar function in the fiddler crabUca beebei (II): competitive courtship signaling.Ethology 78: 113–128.
Christy J.H. & M. Salmon 1984 Ecology and evolution of mating systems of fiddler crabs (genusUca).Biol. Rev. 59: 483–509.
Crane, J. 1975 Fiddler crabs of the world. Princeton University Press.
Kosuge, T. 1989 Mating behavior ofIlyoplax pusilla (Decapoda: Ocypodidae).The Nanki Seibutu 31 (1): 25–30.
Lighter, F.J. 1974 A note on a behavioral spacing mechanism of the ghost crabOcypode ceratophthalmus (Pallas) (Decapoda, Family Ocypodidae).Crustaceana 27: 312–314.
Linsenmair, K.E. 1967 Konstruktion und Signalfunktion der Sandpyramide der ReiterkrabbeOcypode saratan Forsk. (Decapoda Brachyura Ocypodidae).Z. Tierpsychol. 24: 403–456.
Salmon, M. 1984 The courtship, aggression and mating system of a “primitive” fiddler crab (Uca vocans: Ocypodidae).Trans. Zool. Soc. Lond. 37: 1–50.
Severinghaus, L.L. & H.-C. Lin. 1990 The reproductive behaviour and mate choice of the fiddler crab (Uca lactea lactea) in midTaiwan.Behaviour 113: 292–308.
Wada, K. 1981 Growth, breeding, and recruitment inScopimera globosa andIlyoplax pusillus (Crustacea: Ocypodidae) in the estuary of Waka River, middle Japan.Publ. Seto Mar. Biol. Lab. 26: 243–259.
Wada, K. 1984 Barticade building inIlyoplax pusillus (De Haan) (Crustacea: Brachyura).J. Exp. Mar. Biol. Ecol. 83: 73–88.
Wada, K. 1987 Neighbor burrow-plugging inIlyplax pusillus (Crustacea: Brachyura: Ocypodidae).Mar. Biol. 95: 299–303.
Zucker, N. 1974 Shelter building as a means of reducing territory size in the fiddler crab,Uca terpsichores (Crustacea: Ocypodidae).Am. Midl. Nat. 91: 224–236.
Zucker, N. 1977 Neighbor dislodgement and burrow-filling activities by maleUca musica terpsichores: a spacing mechanism.Mar. Biol. 41: 281–286.
Zucker, N. 1981 The role of hood-building in defining territories and limiting combat in fiddler crabs.Anim. Behav. 29: 387–395.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
About this article
Cite this article
Takayama, J., Wada, K. Are barricading and neighbor burrow-plugging by male crabs ofIlyoplax pusilla (Crustacea: Brachyura: Ocypodidae) related to feeding or mating?. J. Ethol. 10, 103–108 (1992). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02350114
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02350114