Chapter 28 - Learning to be Winners and Losers: Agonistic Behavior in Crayfish

Abstract

Most investigations of agonistic behavior in crustaceans have focused on crayfish, which are especially easy to maintain in the laboratory. Animals that have recently won aggressive interactions may often be more likely to win against new opponents that have not had recent winning experience; that is, winners keep winning. This phenomenon has been found in a variety of taxa, including juncos, chickens, paradise fish, red deer, and spiders. Crustaceans have been widely used in agonistic behavioral investigations and are excellent candidates for a test of this hypothesis. Many species are relatively large and easy to observe and measure, have well-described aggressive behaviors, are hardy, and readily interact with conspecifics. Agonistic behavior in crustaceans have examined species-specific ritualized displays inter- and intrasexual agonistic interactions and how fighting behavior is influenced by predation risk and time of day. Similarly, crabs have been used in studies considering the energetic costs of fighting the influence of relative and absolute body size on strategic decision making during agonistic encounters and the behaviors associated with the initiation and resolution of aggressive disputes.