Social monogamy in a fiddler crab, Uca capricornis
In: Journal of Crustacean Biology. Crustacean Society: Washington. ISSN 0278-0372; e-ISSN 1937-240X, more
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Keyword |
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Author keywords |
fiddler crabs; pair bond; social monogamy |
Authors | | Top |
- Detto, T.
- Blackwell, R.Y.
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Abstract |
Fiddler crabs are generally considered polygamous as they tend to live in dense mixed sex colonies with numerous neighbours and individually defended territories. We show that the Australian fiddler crab, Uca capricornis, is socially monogamous based on behavioural experiments and observations of neighbouring males and females. The unusual relationship between neighbouring males and females in U. Capricornis is selected for and maintained by intrasexual aggression and the ability to recognise and defend their partner. |
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