Shelter availability mediates decorating in the majoid crab, Camposcia retusa

Rohan M Brooker, Enid C Muñoz Ruiz, Tiffany L Sih, Danielle L Dixson and Luke HolmanHandling Editor

Behavioral Ecology, 2018, vol. 29, issue 1, 179-185

Abstract: Many animals adorn their bodies using items from their environment, termed “decorating.†The reasons why are poorly understood, but it is often thought to be an antipredator mechanism. Here, we show tropical decorator crabs increase decorating when shelter is scarce, suggesting decoration rates reflect ambient predation risk. Crabs consistently place items on certain parts of their body; suggesting decorating these areas is particularly advantageous, or that these parts are particularly vulnerable.

Keywords: coral reefs; decoration; energetic investment; predation risk; resource selection (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2018
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