Host-use pattern of the shrimp Periclimenes paivai on the scyphozoan jellyfish Lychnorhiza lucerna: probing for territoriality and inferring its mating system

Abstract

In symbiotic crustaceans, host-use patterns vary broadly. Some species inhabit host individuals solitarily, other species live in heterosexual pairs, and even other species live in aggregations. This disparity in host-use patterns coupled with considerable differences in host ecology provide opportunities to explore how environmental conditions affect animal behavior. In this study, we explored whether or not symbiotic crustaceans inhabiting relatively large and structurally complex host species live in aggregations. We expected Periclimenes paivai, a small caridean shrimp that lives among the tentacles of the large and morphologically complex scyphozoan jellyfish Lychnorhiza lucerna, to live in groups given that the host traits above constraint host-monopolization behaviors by symbiotic crustaceans. We described the population distribution of P. paivai during a bloom of L. lucerna near the mouth of the Paraíba River estuary in Paraíba, Brazil. The population distribution of P. paivai did not differ statistically from a random Poisson distribution. Male shrimps were most often found dwelling on the surface of L. lucerna individuals as small groups (2-4 individuals), in agreement with expectations. Periclimenes paivai is a sexually dimorphic species with males attaining smaller average body sizes than females and exhibiting no elaborated weaponry (claws). Females, but not males, experience positive allometry in cheliped size and were found living solitarily in small but not large host individuals. The above suggest that females might be territorial or that they might be competing for resources (i.e., food) likely expected to impact their reproductive output. Our results agree, but only partially, with the idea that large and morphologically complex host species should harbor non-territorial gregarious symbiotic crustaceans. Symbiotic crustaceans represent excellent models to improve our understanding about the conditions driving the social behavior of marine organisms.

Unveiling the dynamics of the spider crab Libinia ferreirae, through reproductive and population characteristics on the south-eastern coast of Brazil

“…Aline Nonato de Sousa et al 2016b); Macaé (22°22 ′ S 41°46 ′ W) (Gonçalves et al, 2016b) and in Paraíba (06°58 ′ S 34°51 ′ W) (Baeza et al, 2017), we noticed that the average diameter of jellyfish was similar at all localities. The sex ratio favouring females in the present study could be associated with the fact that Majoidea females do not require periodic copulations, since they can store sperm and spawn several times with just one sperm mass from a single copulation (González-Gurriarán et al, 1998).…”

“…Countergradient variation was also observed for jellyfish that have a symbiotic relationship with Libinia spp. When comparing the diameter of jellyfish at different latitudes, such as Mar Chiquita, Argentina (37°45′S 57°26′W) (Zamponi, 2002); Rio de La Plata, Argentina/Uruguay (35°S 57°W) (Sal Moyano et al ., 2012); Punta del Este, Uruguay (34°58′S 54°57′W) (Vaz Ferreira, 1972); Paraná, Brasil (25°55′S 48°35′W) (Nogueira Jr & Haddad, 2005); Cananéia (25°04′S 47°50′W) (Gonçalves et al ., 2016 b ); Macaé (22°22′S 41°46′W) (Gonçalves et al ., 2016 b ) and in Paraíba (06°58′S 34°51′W) (Baeza et al ., 2017), we noticed that the average diameter of jellyfish was similar at all localities.…”

Planktonic associations between medusae (classes Scyphozoa and Hydrozoa) and epifaunal crustaceans

“…The most common explanation for this higher ratio of females and often ovigerous females is use of scyphozoan and hydrozoan hosts primarily as nursery habitat for movement and protection of juveniles (Gonçalves et al, 2016;Gonçalves et al, 2017;Mazda et al, 2019). Potential territoriality in some females, like those of P. paivai, may help ensure more resources for their brood, and is in line with other symbiont crustaceans (Baeza et al, 2017). For deep sea crustaceans, such as Pseudolubbockia dilatata (Sars, 1909), more even sex ratios would be expected, as there is evidence of long-term resident brooding pairs, and mate scarcity is a feature of deep sea life.…”

Population structure and reproductive performance in the sea anemone associated shrimp Ancylocaris brevicarpalis (Caridea: Palaemonidae)

“…Knowledge of the population dynamics and life history traits of symbiotic palaemonids, such as growth, moulting and individual-level reproductive parameters, forms the fundamental basis for reliable fisheries management of species at risk (Calado, 2008; Dee et al ., 2014; Gilpin & Chadwick, 2017). Most of the studies on symbiotic palaemonids have focused on their sexual and mating behaviour (Baeza et al ., 2015, 2016, 2017), however, information on population structure and reproductive performance are still lacking. The population structure is mainly influenced by seasonality and oscillating sex ratios as documented in other decapod crustaceans (Naylor et al ., 1988).…”