Agonistic Behaviour and Sound Production during Male–Male Varunid Crabs (Cyrtograpsus angulatus, Dana 1851) Encounters

MARIA CERAULO; MARÍA PAZ SAL MOYANO; MARÍA CIELO BAZTERRICA; FERNANDO JOSÉ HIDALGO; SOLANA SNITMAN; ELENA PAPALE; GIUSEPPA BUSCAINO; GAVIO, MARÍA ANDREA

Journal of Marine Science and Engineering

MDPI

Lugar: Basel; Año: 2022 vol. 10 p. 1 - 13

2077-1312

Crustacean sounds are the main contributor to shallow water soundscape biophoniccomponents. Here, we investigate the sound production of Cyrtograpsus angulatus, one of the mostimportant intertidal decapods of the Southwestern Atlantic Ocean. Underwater audio and video wererecorded during encounters among male pairs. Two kinds of experimental settings were conductedinvolving same size (SS) and different-size (DS) male crabs. Behavioural states, behavioural eventsand sound emission were investigated. SS spent more time in contact and still behaviour andshowing competitive interactions than did DS. Crabs presented body displays involving chelae,legs, and maxillae movements with the same frequency in both settings. Our results demonstratethe production of impulsive sounds in male C. angulatus with high rates during contact and stillbehaviour (specifically during agonistic interactions and body displays without contact betweenindividuals). Furthermore, we were able to describe behaviour-related variability within impulsivesounds. These outcomes provide a better understanding of the role and behavioural context of thesesounds in the natural soundscape