Date of Award

2016

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Bachelors

Department

Natural Sciences

First Advisor

Gilchrist, Sandra

Area of Concentration

Environmental Science

Abstract

The effects of oil exposure on the behavior and cognitive ability of the sand fiddler crab, Uca pugilator, were studied. Sixty specimens of U. pugilator from Sarasota Bay in Sarasota, Florida. were contained for 5 weeks prior to the experiment in a quarantine tank. Specimens were randomly asigned to groups, and half were exposed to mineral oil (substitute for crude oil) topically applied to in their enclosure. Righting response, locomotion, incline performance, maximim angle performance, burrowing, and defensive responses were tested. Results of the experimental specimens compared to the control specimens were significant in all areas. These results are consistent with previous research using fiddler crab specimens following crude oil spills.

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