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Host location and selection by the symbiotic sargassum crab Portunus sayi: the role of chemical, visual and tactile cues

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Abstract

The Sargassum community consists of a unique and diverse assemblage of symbiotic fauna critical to pelagic food chains. Associated symbionts presumably have adaptations to assist in finding Sargassum. In situ scattered Sargassum patches accumulate as they are pushed toward the shoreline (via wind, waves, currents or tides) and are frequently less than 1 m apart and in depths of 10 cm or less as the patches approach the shoreline Crabs, and other symbiotic fauna, must relocate to another patch that is seaward in direction or likely perish as their current patch will likely become beached. This study investigated sensory cues used for host location and selection by the Sargassum crab, Portunus sayi. Chemical detection trials were conducted with a two-chamber choice apparatus with Sargassum spp. and Thalassia testudinum as habitat source odors. Visual detection trials (devoid of chemical cues) and habitat selection trials were conducted in which crabs were given a choice between hosts. Results showed that P. sayi responded to chemicals from Sargassum spp. Crabs visually located host habitats but did not visually distinguish between different hosts. In host selection trials, crabs selected Sargassum spp. over artificial Sargassum and T. testudinum. These results suggest that crabs isolated from Sargassum likely use chemoreception; within visual proximity of a potential patch, crabs likely use both chemical and visual information.

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Acknowledgements

Special thanks go to Dr. Brian Lapointe, Dr. Tamara Frank, and Dr. Dennis Hanisak for their support, direction, and patience with this research. We would also like to thank Chelsea Bennice and Ed Davis for their help with sampling.

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  1. (LEW) WRB Department of Biological Sciences, Florida Atlantic University, 777 Glades Road, Boca Raton, FL, 33431, USA

    Lorin E. West & W. Randy Brooks

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Correspondence to W. Randy Brooks.

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West, L.E., Randy Brooks, W. Host location and selection by the symbiotic sargassum crab Portunus sayi: the role of chemical, visual and tactile cues. Symbiosis 76, 177–185 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13199-018-0561-4

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