Sound production and reception in mangrove crabs Perisesarma spp. (Brachyura: Sesarmidae)

Abstract

Acoustic signalling and sound production structures in the sesarmid crabs Perisesarma eumolpe (De Man) and P. indiarum (Tweedie) from Mandai mangroves, Singapore, were examined using 40 to 20 000 Hz sound recordings and scanning electron microscopy. The sound receptor, Barth's myochordotonal organ, was identified in both species. Only male crabs were found to display acoustically, and only during agonistic interactions. The present study also revealed key speciesspecific differences in the morphology of the stridulatory organs, stridulatory movements and resulting sounds produced. The findings show that acoustic signalling may be a significant component in the social behaviour of mangrove sesarmid crabs.

A new species of Nesotanais (Crustacea, Tanaidacea) from Japan, with a key to species and a note on male chelipeds

“…Th e inner ridges on the left and right chelipeds are opposed to each other, and the behavior of N. ryukyuensis (see Appendix 1: Moving image of live Nesotanais ryukyuensis) indicates that the animal can rub the chelipeds. In addition, the structure of these ridges strikingly resembles the stridulatory apparatus reported in two mangrove-dwelling sesarmid crabs, Perisesarma eumolpe and P. indiarum, used in sound production during agonistic interactions (Boon et al 2009). Confi rmation of actual sound and some hypotheses of function is needed in future studies on these tanaidaceans.…”

Acoustic signals and behaviour of Ovalipes trimaculatus in the context of reproduction

“…In brachyurans, most acoustic studies have fo cused on semi-terrestrial crabs (e.g. Sesarminae, Ocy podidae, Gecarcinidae) (Parker et al 1998, Boon et al 2009). In crabs, sounds can play an important role in courtship (Popper et al 2001), and most of the current literature on mating behaviour has primarily focused on the use of signals by males to attract females.…”

“…There is good evidence that sound is used as an orientation cue in fish to guide settlement onto reefs (Simpson et al 2004), and that dolphins use echolocation to search for prey (reviewed by Au 1993, Miller et al 2004, Johnson et al 2008. Several species of marine crustaceans have evolved various sound production mechanisms (reviewed by Greenfield 2002, Patek & Oakley 2003, Buscaino et al 2011a, such as percussion or rubbing (Imafuku & Ikeda 1990), stridulation (Boon et al 2009), carapace vibrations (Patek & Caldwell 2006), stick and slip friction (Meyer-Rochow & Penrose 1976, Patek 2001,& Watson 2005. However, little is known about the ability of crustaceans to perceive sound and vibration (Meyer-Rochow et al 1982, de Vincenzi et al 2015.…”

A new species of Tanaopsis (Crustacea: Tanaidacea) from Japan, with remarks on the functions of serial ridges and grooves on the appendages

“…8), as in Nesotanais. A similarly paired series of structures on the chelipedal dactyli occurs in decapods (e.g., Guinot-Dumortier & Dumortier 1960;Forest 1995) and functions as a stridulating organ to produce acoustic signals (Boon et al 2009). It will be necessary to observe behavior in T. japonica to confirm whether the hatching in this species likewise functions in stridulation.…”