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Wofford_Dissertation_3-21-17.pdf (1.2 MB)

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How does alteration of chemical information affect assessment in male and female crayfish, Orconectes rusticus?

Wofford, Sarah Jane
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=bgsu149011404454945

Abstract Details

2017, Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.), Bowling Green State University, Biological Sciences.
This dissertation builds on our limited understanding of female agonsim through the lens of assessment and the information driving these behavioral strategies. While empirical studies have demonstrated differences in winning probabilities and contest duration for male and female intrasexual contests, we know very little about the rules dictating differences in behavioral strategies and information used in these contests (Rosvall, 2011). The work outlined in this dissertation fills these gaps in knowledge by examining (1) sex-based differences in behavioral response to a signal within agonistic contests, (2) the effect signal removal on assessment in intersexual contests, and (3) sex-based differences in population level assessment strategies under differing social and environmental contexts. I used crayfish as my model organism due to their well-studied aggressive behaviors and the propensity of both sexes to engage in inter- and intrasexual interactions. Because of their heavy reliance on chemical information across many aspects of their behavior, I first examined differences in male and female crayfish contest strategies in light of differential use of and response to chemical stimuli. Chemical information (i.e. urine) release and subsequent behavioral changes were quantified across male and female inter- and intrasexual contests, revealing that the behavioral response to this urine release differed based on opponent sex and relative size (Wofford et al., 2017). In line with previous studies, mixed sex contests seemingly followed a different set of rules and contest resolution than male or female same sex contests. The second aim of this dissertation further examined these differences by blocking chemosensory ability in mixed sex contests. Intersexual contest duration was significantly impacted by the sex of the lesioned opponent. Specifically, male lesioned contests were relatively unaffected by impaired chemosensation while female lesioned contests showed significant shifts in duration. Furthermore, the assessment strategy in place differed based on which sex had access to chemical information. In the final aim, I explored sex-based assessment differences due to alteration of social and environmental context. Artificial populations that varied in sex composition (male or female population), strength ratio (weak or strong skewed populations), and resource availability (i.e. resource value) demonstrated significant variation in assessment strategies in place. These findings confirm previous work that (1) suggests assessment fluidity across environmental and social contexts and (2) posits that the rules dictating male and female contest strategies significantly differ.
Paul Moore (Advisor)
Andrew Layden (Other)
Ryan Earley (Committee Member)
Shannon Pelini (Committee Member)
Karen Root (Committee Member)
107 p.
Biology
contest behavior; assessment strategy; intersexual contests; crayfish

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Wofford, S. J. (2017). How does alteration of chemical information affect assessment in male and female crayfish, Orconectes rusticus? [Doctoral dissertation, Bowling Green State University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=bgsu149011404454945

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Wofford, Sarah. How does alteration of chemical information affect assessment in male and female crayfish, Orconectes rusticus? 2017. Bowling Green State University, Doctoral dissertation. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=bgsu149011404454945.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Wofford, Sarah. "How does alteration of chemical information affect assessment in male and female crayfish, Orconectes rusticus?" Doctoral dissertation, Bowling Green State University, 2017. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=bgsu149011404454945

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

bgsu149011404454945
621
© 2017, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by Bowling Green State University and OhioLINK.