Theses and Dissertations - UTB/UTPA
Date of Award
8-2012
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Science (MS)
Department
Biology
First Advisor
Dr. Zen Faulkes
Second Advisor
Dr. Matthew Terry
Third Advisor
Dr. Christopher Vitek
Abstract
Marmorkrebs is a parthenogenetic crayfish with no indigenous populations. They have been introduced in several countries and could become an invasive species. Individuals introduced in Germany had longer, sharper spines, suggesting an adaptation to predators via developmental plasticity. This was tested by exposing juveniles to the odor of a fish during development and comparing them to controls. Subsequent spine length or sharpness did not differ. Other crayfish detect predators via an alarm cue, hemolymph, and exhibit avoidant behavior in response. I hypothesized that Marmorkrebs would also treat hemolymph as an alarm cue. The behavior of adult crayfish exposed to food, fish odor, or hemolymph were recorded. Results showed no difference across conditions, indicating that Marmorkrebs do not use hemolymph or fish odor as cues.
Granting Institution
University of Texas-Pan American
Comments
Copyright 2012 Loren Samantha Beard. All Rights Reserved.
https://www.proquest.com/dissertations-theses/responses-predator-recognition-odors-marmorkrebs/docview/1152525739/se-2