Into a rhythm: diel activity patterns and behaviour in Mediterranean slipper lobsters, Scyllarides latus

Abstract

Although the natural history for Mediterranean slipper lobsters (Scyllarides latus) is well established, there exists a disproportionate lack of important biological and physiological data to verify many key traits, including to what extent endogenous rhythms modulate aspects of their behaviour. Although Scyllarids appear nocturnally active, few studies exist that quantify this tendency. Our overall objective was to test the hypothesis that adult slipper lobsters are nocturnal and to determine if their diel activity rhythms are under the influence of an endogenous circadian clock. In the laboratory, we exposed a total of 16 animals (CLavg = 92.6 ± 6.6 mm; CL, carapace length) to a 12 : 12 light : dark (LD) cycle for 7–10 d, followed by ***constant dark (DD) for 15–20 d. Activity was assessed using a combination of time-lapse video and accelerometers. Of a total of 16 lobsters, we analysed data from 15 (one mortality). All 15 lobsters were evaluated using video. Thirteen of these lobsters were also evaluated using accelerometers. All lobsters were more active during night-time than during daytime and synchronized their activity to the LD cycle, expressing a diel activity pattern (τ = 24.04 ± 0.13 h). In DD, lobsters maintained a circadian rhythm with a τ of 23.87 ± 0.07 h. These findings may provide insight into the behaviour of these animals in their natural habitat and help explain their ability to anticipate dawn and dusk.

Acoustic accelerometry reveals diel activity patterns in premigratory Port Jackson sharks

“…While conclusions can be drawn from raw accelerometer data alone (Kough, Jacobs, Gorsky, & Willink, ; Whitney, Lear, Gleiss, Payne, & White, ), captive studies are extremely valuable for validating accelerometer data and allow more detailed assessment of movement patterns and behavior (Brewster et al, ; Brownscombe, Gutowsky, Danylchuk, & Cooke, ; Goldstein, Dubofsky, & Spanier, ). Working in captivity allows close observation of the animal and matching behavior to accelerometer output, thereby enabling a more detailed calibration of accelerometer data with specific patterns of behavior.…”

Scyllarid Lobster Biology and Ecology

“…Slipper lobsters movements consist of either slow, benthic walking used for daily nomadic movements within a small home range and for seasonal migrations from shallow inshore waters to deeper offshore waters or swimming movements that are used for escape or vertical migratory movements. Daily activity patterns suggest that slipper lobsters have endogenous clocks that provide for circadian rhythms with higher locomotor periods during night hours [122]. Tagging studies of S. latus off the coast of Israel confirm the slow, benthic walking patterns: local movements within a home range, presumably to forage and migratory offshore movements [79].…”

Automatic Monitoring of Relevant Behaviors for Crustacean Production in Aquaculture: A Review

“…In addition to acoustic and optical technology, other sensors based on different parameters have been leveraged to identify and monitor crustacean behavior [ 125 ]. More broadly, sensors are often used for farming purposes.…”

“…Accelerometers are very effective in monitoring the activity rhythm of crustaceans, and are currently one of the main application areas of acceleration sensors. The collected accelerometer outputs can be converted into distances moved per unit time and scholars can estimate the distance moved by shrimp in a period of time according to this method to an extent that is statistically significant, that is, p < 0.005 [ 125 , 128 ]. However, the correlation between the movement and accelerometer is uncertain.…”