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Intersexual differences in the mudballs of Uca annulipes (Decapoda: Ocypodidae)

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  14 June 2001

Fiona R.L. Burford
Affiliation:
Department of Animal Behaviour, Zoological Institute, University of Copenhagen, Tagensvej 16, DK-2200 Copenhagen N, Denmark
Peter K. McGregor
Affiliation:
Department of Animal Behaviour, Zoological Institute, University of Copenhagen, Tagensvej 16, DK-2200 Copenhagen N, Denmark
Rui F. Oliveira
Affiliation:
Unidade de Investigação em Eco-Etologia, Instituto Superior de Psicologia Aplicada, Rua Jardim do Tabaco 34, 1149-041 Lisboa, Portugal

Abstract

This study investigated the features of mudballs produced by male and female Uca annulipes. Both sexes formed mudballs from mud excavated from within the burrow during the final hour of the low tide period. Males placed the centre of the mudball aggregation and the furthest mudball significantly further from the burrow than females. These observations suggest that the placement of male mudballs was not simply a by-product of burrow excavation.

Type
Brief Report
Copyright
2001 Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom

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