Summary
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1.
A variety of different orientation mechanisms have been proposed by various authors working with different populations of talitrid amphipods, but, to date, no adequate attempt has been made to determine how many such mechanisms may be employed by a single population, or what their relative importance may be under different sets of conditions in nature.
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2.
In this study it is shown that populations of talitrids with a sun-compass response for cross-shore orientation, as demonstrated in an experimental chamber, also possess a guidance system dependent upon local beach landmarks. The relevant landmarks, apparently high landforms behind the beach, will tend to dominate over celestial information when the two conflict. If such landmarks are missing or insufficiently prominent, however, the celestial compass will be relied upon by the amphipod for both seaward and landward movements.
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3.
Of the several non-visual mechanisms proposed by various authors, none are convincingly documented, and none appear likely to play a major role in cross-beach orientation.
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Hartwick, R.F. Beach orientation in talitrid amphipods: Capacities and strategies. Behav Ecol Sociobiol 1, 447–458 (1976). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00299403
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00299403