
Current Zoology, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 71(1), P. 54 - 64
Published: April 26, 2024
Male fiddler crabs own an enlarged claw which is a weapon and ornament. The enlargement of this begins from the juvenile stage continues throughout life. Males may voluntarily lose (i.e., autotomize) claw. After several molts males regenerate new claw, called leptochelous, acquires similar length but lower muscle mass area than original one, brachychelous. In some species, regenerated claws develop permanently as population having 2 discrete morphologies. Other species present morphological variations with leptochelous brachychelous being ends continuum. Leptuca uruguayensis, we studied variation whether it be caused by its regeneration at different male sizes, consequences on mating success. We found that could not discriminated morphs, suggesting continuum to leptochelous. Regenerated in laboratory were initially small proportional body size, although field experiment confirmed size recovered after molts. Morphological energetic limitations where sizes must differently trade-off between restitution (ornament function) or (weapon function). Fiddler use tactics levels female choice. However, regardless tactic, disadvantage high densities, low autotomy success depend social context.
Language: Английский