LUNAR AND TIDAL PERIODICITY OF MOLTING AND REPRODUCTION IN STOMATOPOD CRUSTACEA: A SELFISH HERD HYPOTHESIS

摘要: One of the constraints imposed upon arthropods by their protective exoskeleton is necessity to molt. While physiology and morphogenesis associated with molt cycle in crustaceans has commanded a great deal attention (e.g., Pas sano, 1960 ; Drach Tchernigovtzeff, 1967 Stevenson, 1972 Aiken, 1973; Davis, Fyhn, 1973 Reaka, 1975a) , few workers have examined process molting an evolutionary perspective. This study examines eco logical consequences stomatopod crustaceans. Mantis shrimp are primitive members Malacostraca ( Brooks, 1962; Siewing, 1963 Holthuis Manning, 1969 Schrani, 1%9a, b, Burnett Hessler, 1975b) but they possess highly specialized life style which may be unique reproductive adaptations. Stomatopods frequently live species assemblages where as many five con generics occupy indistinguishable microhabitats one tidepool (Reaka, 1972, preparation) seven congenerics tide flat (this study). Protection from predation afforded burrows or cavities mud, sand, rocks coral. employ intense sometimes lethal agonistic behavior against conspecifics while fighting obtain retain addition rapacious carnivores. All susceptible conspecific other predators when often behavioral adaptations minimize mortality at this time (Passano, 1960). vulnerability considerably magnified stoma topods because frequent sympatry closely related species; if not killed another mantis shrimp, displaced its hole exposed fishes (Townsley, 1953; Camp, 1973). Large size obvious advantage for pursuit overpowering prey, defense predators, congeneric fighting, reproduction 1974, 1975c), carries disadvantage repeated molts. How, then, do stomatopods effects maintaining tactics contest competition? Reclusive submissive behavior, well sealing entrance burrow, reduce stomatopods; stages incapacitation exuviation abbreviated several aggressive taxa especially asym metrical suggest that early premolt waiting period, whereupon initiation progresses rapidly following correct cue 1975a). The present paper timing repro duction, suggests lunar tidal synchrony population 468