Testing function of fiddler crab claw waving by manipulating social context

摘要: Many territorial advertisement signals are thought to be dual-function signals, directed both rival male and receptive female conspecifics. However, few studies have tested this assumption by examining whether in fact sexes likely elicit signaling behavior from males. In study, I experimentally manipulated the social context of sand fiddler crabs (Uca pugilator) investigate effect different audiences on performance claw-waving display, a signal that is often presumed males females. To test perform audiences, measured frequency waving focal when housed field enclosures alone, with only males, females, or Focal waved at low presence had no their level waving. showed significantly higher waving, not were also present. addition, there was association between fighting behavior. This experiment provides evidence perspective male, display U. pugilator but rather primarily