Carpinteria Salt Marsh Reserve

01 Jul, 01 AM - 30 Jun, 10 AM

The purpose of my project is to investigate the effects of parasitism on the mating behaviors of fiddler crabs. At this time, I will be assessing population numbers of fiddler crabs, recording mating behaviors of randomly chosen male fiddler crabs, and collecting them for dissection after behaviors have been recorded. As stated in the Mathias grant application, no more than 3% of the population will be sampled for this project. The effects of parasitism on risky behavior in male crabs will be measured during the non-breeding season. Since parasite intensity has been positively correlated with frequency of conspicuous behaviors and host body size, males representing a wide range of size classes will be marked for behavioral observations. Exposure on the sediment surface and aggressive male-male combat behavior are known to increase risk of predation. These behaviors will be recorded for each male for a period of 45 minutes during low tide. Behavioral observations will be conducted using both binoculars and a digital video recording device. Digitalized video images will be used in concert with computer software to calculate an accurate measure of wave rate (waves/s) using frame-by-frame analysis. Following observations, males will be collected and dissected for parasites. The effects of parasitism on courtship displays and mating success will be measured during the breeding season. Males of various size classes will be marked for observation of mating displays and reproductive success. The frequency and duration of waving displays will be recorded for each male crab for a period of 45 minutes using the same techniques described for non-breeding season studies. Same sex combat and time exposed will also be recorded to assess predation risk for each male. A successful mating will be recorded after a female has entered a male burrow and remained inside after a period of 20 minutes. Following observations, male crabs will be collected and dissected for parasites. Carapace width of mated females will be measured and compared to their respective male mates to determine assortative mating. To determine the effects of parasitism on host condition, carapace width and major cheliped length will be measured for males in both studies. These characters will be used to determine any negative effects of parasitism on character indices of host fitness. These studies will help to elucidate the relationship between parasitism, mating behavior, and reproductive success. Results from this work will be used to test my hypotheses with more sophisticated experiments using artificial infections and field enclosure experiments.

Visit #18638 @Carpinteria Salt Marsh Reserve

Approved

Under Project # 20243 | Research

Can parasites enhance components of host fitness? Host manipulation of a sexual signal in the California fiddler crab, Uca crenulata

graduate_student - University of California, Riverside

Reservation Members(s)

Adrienne Mora Jul 1, 2009 - Jun 30, 2010 (365 days)
Adrienne Mora Jul 1, 2009 - Jun 30, 2010 (365 days)

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Day Use Only 2 Jul 1, 2009 - Jun 30, 2010