Quantitative Behavioral Techniques for the Study of Crustacean Aggression

摘要: Fighting in clawed decapod crustaceans has received considerable attention due to the presence of patent visual displays featuring conspicuous and potentially lethal weapons. General observation confirms that agonistic encounters this group are characterized by a distinct shortage diplomatic skills. With exception some mating behaviors, meeting between two individuals similar size invariably leads interactions which escalate with series stereotyped behavior patterns until one combatants withdraws. To large degree, it is physical superiority determines fight outcome, fostering quick resolution mismatch factors such as body claw size, sex, or molt state. Moreover, social conditioning result previous wins losses influences both fighting outcome subsequent on time frame up several days. Even situations, consists mainly paired encounters; crustaceans, involving three more extremely rare. The highly structured behavioral system offers unique opportunities quantify aggressive state individuals, explore mechanisms underlying formation maintenance dominance relations, investigate dynamic properties hierarchy formation, significance neural neurochemical these phenomena.