Field studies of size‐dependent changes in waving display and other behavior in the fiddler crab,Uca pugilator(brachyura, ocypodidae)

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Abstract
Field studies of 133 male Uca pugilator (4.5–20.0 mm carapace width) showed significant changes in waving and other behavior patterns as follows: (1) Wave frequency changed gradually from zero to 110–170 waves/5 min across the size continuum. (2) Wave rates stabilized at 10–12 mm carapace width. (3) Larger males spent about 50% of their above‐ground time performing actual waves. (4) Time spent feeding and time spent in the burrow decreased with age. In the case of feeding, there was a quantum drop to almost zero at the 12 mm carapace width size category. (5) The responses shown by females toward waving males of different sizes changed, so that there was a 70% increase in female attentiveness toward males in the larger size categories. Behavioral, morphological, and physiological data suggest that 10–12 mm carapace width may represent a transitional period in male fiddler crabs, which culminates in attaining full sexual maturity.