Escape Responses to Visual and Vibrational Stimuli in the Sand Fiddler Crab, Uca Pugilator

Date of Award

2007

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Bachelors

Department

Social Sciences

First Advisor

Bauer, Gordon

Keywords

Escape Response, Sensory Ecology, Fiddler Crab, Uca Pugilator

Area of Concentration

Biological Psychology

Abstract

Visual and vibrational stimuli were presented independently and together to test the escape responses in Uca pugilator. The responses of 217 subjects were recorded and analyzed through video footage. Evidence was provided for the use of visual and vibrational information in initiating an escape response in fiddler crabs. The two stimuli differed in the proportion of crabs performing each of the escape responses. When a visual stimulus was followed by a vibrational stimulus, slightly fewer males re-emerged in the five minute period following the visual stimulus (13.3% fewer when compared to the visual-only group). In both males and females, there was about a 30 second increase in the duration a crab spent underground after an escape if the visual stimulus was followed by a vibrational stimulus. This provides some evidence that the crabs can use tactile information perceived while underground in the decision to resurface and may extend the time spent underground if vibrations are present. These results are consistent with observations of the visual and vibrational cues fiddler crabs use in courtship and the potential cues produced by approaching predators.

Rights

This bibliographic record is available under the Creative Commons CC0 public domain dedication. The New College of Florida, as creator of this bibliographic record, has waived all rights to it worldwide under copyright law, including all related and neighboring rights, to the extent allowed by law.

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