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Autotomy of the major claw stimulates molting and suppresses feeding in fiddler crabs

Publication ,  Journal Article
Darnell, MZ; Rittschof, CC; Rittschof, J; Beach, C; Rittschof, D
Published in: Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology
December 1, 2018

Autotomy is a predator escape mechanism in many taxa, including crustaceans. Male fiddler crabs autotomize the major claw, despite its importance in mating, territoriality, and thermoregulation. This claw can be regenerated through molting. We investigated major claw autotomy in the fiddler crab Leptuca pugilator, testing hypotheses that (1) autotomy of the major claw accelerates the molting process, reflecting the importance of this appendage, (2) autotomy of the major claw results in increased feeding to accumulate energy reserves needed for regeneration, (3) this change in feeding is hormonally driven. Autotomy of the major claw accelerated molting. Yet contrary to expectations, autotomy of the claw initially inhibited feeding, with evidence for release of feeding inhibitory factor. These effects are specific to the major claw, and were not seen following autotomy of a walking leg. Acceleration of molting following autotomy of the major claw appears to be an adaptive response reflecting the costs of being without this multi-function structure.

Duke Scholars

Published In

Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology

DOI

ISSN

0022-0981

Publication Date

December 1, 2018

Volume

509

Start / End Page

66 / 70

Related Subject Headings

  • Marine Biology & Hydrobiology
  • 31 Biological sciences
  • 07 Agricultural and Veterinary Sciences
  • 06 Biological Sciences
  • 05 Environmental Sciences
 

Citation

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Darnell, M. Z., Rittschof, C. C., Rittschof, J., Beach, C., & Rittschof, D. (2018). Autotomy of the major claw stimulates molting and suppresses feeding in fiddler crabs. Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology, 509, 66–70. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jembe.2018.09.001
Darnell, M. Z., C. C. Rittschof, J. Rittschof, C. Beach, and D. Rittschof. “Autotomy of the major claw stimulates molting and suppresses feeding in fiddler crabs.” Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology 509 (December 1, 2018): 66–70. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jembe.2018.09.001.
Darnell MZ, Rittschof CC, Rittschof J, Beach C, Rittschof D. Autotomy of the major claw stimulates molting and suppresses feeding in fiddler crabs. Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology. 2018 Dec 1;509:66–70.
Darnell, M. Z., et al. “Autotomy of the major claw stimulates molting and suppresses feeding in fiddler crabs.” Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology, vol. 509, Dec. 2018, pp. 66–70. Scopus, doi:10.1016/j.jembe.2018.09.001.
Darnell MZ, Rittschof CC, Rittschof J, Beach C, Rittschof D. Autotomy of the major claw stimulates molting and suppresses feeding in fiddler crabs. Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology. 2018 Dec 1;509:66–70.
Journal cover image

Published In

Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology

DOI

ISSN

0022-0981

Publication Date

December 1, 2018

Volume

509

Start / End Page

66 / 70

Related Subject Headings

  • Marine Biology & Hydrobiology
  • 31 Biological sciences
  • 07 Agricultural and Veterinary Sciences
  • 06 Biological Sciences
  • 05 Environmental Sciences