Heterochely and cheliped dimorphism in the porcellanid crab Petrolisthes japonicus (De Haan, 1849) (Decapoda: Porcellanidae)

Hamasaki, Katsuyuki; Dan, Shigeki

doi:10.1590/2358-2936e2022034

Cited by 4 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 37 publications

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“…This state can be interpreted as a deviation from perfect symmetry on the part of an organism or a component of that organism ( Van Valen, 1962 ; Spani et al, 2020 ). In particular, many decapod crustaceans ( Lezcano et al, 2015 ; Hamasaki & Dan, 2022 ), including brachyurans, show asymmetry in the shape and size of their chela ( Scalici & Gherardi, 2008 ). The development of heterochely thus results from this disruption of bilateral symmetry ( Graham et al, 2010 ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Heterochely and handedness in the orange mud crab Scylla olivacea: implication for future culture practice optimisation

Rozaimi

Shu-Chien

Wang

et al. 2023

PeerJ

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Asymmetric body traits in bilateral organisms are common and serve a range of different functions. In crustaceans, specifically among brachyuran crabs, heterochely and handedness in some species are known to aid in behavioural responses such as food acquisition, and sexual and territorial displays. However, the heterochely of the intertidal mud crab genus Scylla is still poorly understood. This study investigated the cheliped morphometric characteristics of orange mud crab Scylla olivacea and the relation of heterochely and handedness to sex. Scylla olivacea is heterochelous, with predominant right-handed (70.2%). Three morphometric variables, i.e., propodus length (PL), propodus depth (PD), and propodus width (PW) were significantly larger in the right cheliped and the estimated handedness based on these three variables were consistent with the presence of molariform teeth. The effect of sex had no influence on the occurrence of heterochely or handedness. The frequency of left-handedness increased with size, especially in males. We postulate that handedness reversal, a phenomenon seen in other crab species when the dominant hand is lost, also occurs in S. olivacea, thereby resulting in a change in left-handedness frequency. The use of chelipeds by males in mate and territorial defenses might provide an explanation for the higher risk of losing a dominant cheliped and thus, higher left-handedness frequency compared to females. Future behavioural research could shed light on the selective forces that affect the handedness distribution in mud crabs. Knowledge on heterochely and handedness of mud crabs could be useful for future development of less aggressive crab populations by claw reversal and the optimisation of limb autotomy techniques.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Heterochely and handedness in the orange mud crab Scylla olivacea: implication for future culture practice optimisation

Rozaimi

Shu-Chien

Wang

et al. 2023

PeerJ

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“…For instance, in carniv-orous brachyuran crabs, one side of the chelipeds has a larger chela with molariform teeth (crusher chela) used for crushing hard-shelled prey, and the other side has a smaller chela (cutter chela) with cutting teeth used for manipulating and cutting food or grooming (Lee, 1995;Mariappan et al, 2000;Masunari et al, 2015). Larger chelipeds are known to occur predominately or evenly on the right or left sides of the body (Lee, 1995;Yamaguchi & Tokunaga, 1995;Mariappan et al, 2000;Baeza & Asorey, 2012;Hamasaki & Dan, 2022;Nogueira et al, 2022).…”

Section: ■ Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Chela asymmetry and dimorphism in the red swamp crayfish <b><i>Procambarus clarkii</i></b> (Decapoda: Astacidea: Cambaridae)

Hamasaki,

Osabe,

Morimoto

et al. 2023

Crust Res

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The red swamp crayfish Procambarus clarkii exhibits different sexual morphotypes (reproductive type, form I; non-reproductive type, form II) in both sexes after reaching sexual maturity. This crayfish species shows intra-and inter-sexual dimorphisms of chela size: the chelae are largest in the form I males, followed by the form I females and form II males, and are the smallest in the form II females. Chelipeds of this species are asymmetrical, with one chela being larger than the other. However, little is known about the degree of chela asymmetry in P. clarkii. We examined the chela asymmetry and further elucidated the chela dimorphism. Larger chelae occurred randomly on either the right or left sides. The size differences between larger and smaller chelae were primarily small, and some individuals had smaller regenerating chelipeds. Allometric growth analyses revealed the intra-and inter-sexual dimorphisms of chela size and shape, with males and females of form I morphotypes exhibiting slender and wide chelae, respectively. Male P. clarkiiʼs slender chela may function as useful weapons, whereas female P. clarkiiʼs large and wide chelae may also function as tools for constructing and maintaining deeper burrows for breeding.

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Just a matter of size? Evaluating allometry and intersexual heterometry in Pagurus bernhardus using ratios and indices (Decapoda, Anomura)

SCHMIDT,

MARTIN,

MELZER

2023

Integr. Zool.

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Heterochely denotes the presence of dissimilarly sized chelipeds on opposite sides of the body, a prevalent occurrence in diverse crustaceans. Conversely, heterometry pertains to the quantifiable disparities in size between these chelipeds. Both chelipeds hold pivotal roles in activities such as foraging, mating, and defense. Consequently, individuals of both genders in heterochelic species exhibit this morphological pattern. Previous studies have identified sexual dimorphism in cheliped size, with males displaying larger major chelipeds compared to females, albeit solely relying on propodus length as a size proxy and focusing solely on the major cheliped. In our study, we meticulously examined 190 specimens of the common European hermit crab Pagurus bernhardus from two collections. We sought to elucidate allometric relationships and assess whether heterometry exhibited sex‐based differences when adjusting for body size by using ratios. Our findings revealed that male chelipeds displayed hyperallometric growth relative to females, and all three calculated heterometry indices exhibited significant disparities between the sexes. Consequently, male specimens exhibited larger major and minor chelipeds, even when theoretically matched for body size with females. This phenomenon may be attributed, among other factors, to male–male contests. Should indirect mate selection favor males with larger chelipeds in proportion to their body size, this dynamic could potentiate sexual selection in their favor.

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Heterochely and cheliped dimorphism in the porcellanid crab Petrolisthes japonicus (De Haan, 1849) (Decapoda: Porcellanidae)

Cited by 4 publications

References 37 publications

Heterochely and handedness in the orange mud crab Scylla olivacea: implication for future culture practice optimisation

Heterochely and handedness in the orange mud crab Scylla olivacea: implication for future culture practice optimisation

Chela asymmetry and dimorphism in the red swamp crayfish <b><i>Procambarus clarkii</i></b> (Decapoda: Astacidea: Cambaridae)

Just a matter of size? Evaluating allometry and intersexual heterometry in Pagurus bernhardus using ratios and indices (Decapoda, Anomura)

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