Skip to Main Content
 

Global Search Box

 
 
 
 

Files

File List


bgsu1335197748.pdf (2.86 MB)

ETD Abstract Container

Abstract Header

THE ALTERATION OF HABITAT USE BY CRAYFISH (ORCONECTES RUSTICUS) IN RESPONSE TO PREDATOR (ICTALURUS PUNCTATUS) CUES

Jones, Jared K.
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=bgsu1335197748

Abstract Details

2012, Master of Science (MS), Bowling Green State University, Biological Sciences.
The use of shelters by crayfish is influenced by the presence or absence of predatory cues. Crayfish are able to detect sensory cues in the environment and use the information gathered to make behavioral changes to reduce the risk of becoming a predator’s next prey item. Factors such as mechanical cues or chemical cues in the water may determine the extent to which the crayfish alter not only the use of shelter, but also other behaviors, such as walking speed and exploratory behaviors. This thesis set out to address which factor elicits the strongest response in behavior alteration and use of shelter. To tease apart the mechanical and chemical cues, five sets of trials were conducted. The first set of trials acted as a control in which a baseline of behavior and shelter use could be determined. The second set of trials exposed the crayfish to the scent of a channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus), but not to the mechanical cues of the predator. The third set of trials exposed the crayfish to the mechanical cues of a model channel catfish, but not the chemical cues. The fourth set of trials exposed the crayfish to the chemical cues of a channel catfish and mechanical cues of the model channel catfish simultaneously. The fifth and final set of trials exposed the crayfish to the chemical and mechanical cues of a channel catfish. By observing the behaviors under the various experimental designs, the research shows us that the mechanical cues of the model channel catfish had the greatest effects on the behaviors demonstrated by the crayfish. The results from these experiments show us that the crayfish relied more on the mechanical cues in the environment than the chemical cues when considering predator avoidance and behavior modification.
Paul Moore (Advisor)
Robert McKay (Committee Member)
Jeffrey Miner (Committee Member)
45 p.
Animal Sciences; Aquatic Sciences; Behavioral Sciences; Biology
crayfish; catfish; predator-prey interactions; shelter use; habitat use; chemical cues; mechanical cues

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Jones, J. K. (2012). THE ALTERATION OF HABITAT USE BY CRAYFISH (ORCONECTES RUSTICUS) IN RESPONSE TO PREDATOR (ICTALURUS PUNCTATUS) CUES [Master's thesis, Bowling Green State University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=bgsu1335197748

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Jones, Jared. THE ALTERATION OF HABITAT USE BY CRAYFISH (ORCONECTES RUSTICUS) IN RESPONSE TO PREDATOR (ICTALURUS PUNCTATUS) CUES. 2012. Bowling Green State University, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=bgsu1335197748.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Jones, Jared. "THE ALTERATION OF HABITAT USE BY CRAYFISH (ORCONECTES RUSTICUS) IN RESPONSE TO PREDATOR (ICTALURUS PUNCTATUS) CUES." Master's thesis, Bowling Green State University, 2012. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=bgsu1335197748

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

bgsu1335197748
690
© 2012, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by Bowling Green State University and OhioLINK.