HR: 1330h
AN: NB33Q-03    [Abstracts]
TI: Effects of habitat structure and risk of cannibalism on life-history traits of red swamp crayfish (Procambarus clarki)
AU: McCabe, D
EM: dmccabe@smcvt.edu
AF: St. Michael's College, Biology; Box 283 One Winooski Park, Colchester, VT 05439 United States
AU: * Fradette, K J
EM: tishkaprrrr@hotmail.com
AF: St. Michael's College, Biology; Box 283 One Winooski Park, Colchester, VT 05439 United States
AU: Usowski, A E
EM: ausowski@smcvt.edu
AF: St. Michael's College, Biology; Box 283 One Winooski Park, Colchester, VT 05439 United States
AB: The effects of habitat structure on predator-prey interactions and intra-guild predation have been well studied in a number of ecological and laboratory systems. How intraspecific interactions among members of cannibalistic species are affected by habitat structure has received less attention. We measured the impacts of habitat structure on interspecific aggression, cannibalism, and life-history traits of Procambarus clarki. Crayfish were randomly assigned to structured or simple habitats. Structured habitats consisted of aquaria with four ceramic fire bricks each with three circular holes for shelter; simple habitats lacked shelters. We hypothesized that habitat structure would lead to decreased injury frequency, increased molting frequency, greater survival, and higher reproductive output in crayfish. Reproductive output did not differ between treatments, but juvenile survival was higher in the structured habitat. Molting was more frequent in the structured habitat. In sharp contrast to predictions, survival was lower in the structured habitat. We concluded the increased mortality in the structured habitat was due to the high degree of exposure to cannibalism and aggression among the crayfish immediately following molting.
DE: 9901 NABS Student Award - Basic Research
SC: North American Benthological Society [NB]
MN: 2005 Joint Assembly