Document Detail


Analysis of the finescale timing of repeated signals: does shell rapping in hermit crabs signal stamina?
MedLine Citation:
PMID:  10640377     Owner:  NLM     Status:  Publisher    
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
Hermit crabs, Pagurus bernhardus, sometimes exchange shells after a period of shell rapping, when the initiating or attacking crab brings its shell rapidly and repeatedly into contact with the shell of the noninitiator or defender in a series of bouts. Bouts are separated by pauses, and raps within bouts are separated by very short periods called 'gaps'. Since within-contest variation is missed when signals are studied by averaging performance rates over entire contests, we analysed the fine within-bout structure of this repeated, aggressive signal. We found that the pattern is consistent with high levels of fatigue in initiators. The duration of the gaps between individual raps increased both within bouts and from bout to bout, and we conclude that this activity is costly to perform. Furthermore, long pauses between bouts is correlated with increased vigour of rapping in the subsequent bout, which suggests that the pause allows for recovery from fatigue induced by rapping. These between-bout pauses may be assessed by noninitiators and provide a signal of stamina. Copyright 2000 The Association for the Study of Animal Behaviour.
Authors:
Briffa; Elwood
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Publication Detail:
Type:  JOURNAL ARTICLE    
Journal Detail:
Title:  Animal behaviour     Volume:  59     ISSN:  0003-3472     ISO Abbreviation:  Anim Behav     Publication Date:  2000 Jan 
Date Detail:
Created Date:  2000-01-20     Completed Date:  -     Revised Date:  -    
Medline Journal Info:
Nlm Unique ID:  0376746     Medline TA:  Anim Behav     Country:  -    
Other Details:
Languages:  ENG     Pagination:  159-165     Citation Subset:  -    
Affiliation:
School of Biology and Biochemistry, The Queen's University of Belfast
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