Male Crayfish Research Articles

Dominance in Crayfish

I am an 8th-grade student at Westland Middle School in Bethesda, Maryland. I read with interest the article “Neurobiology: Social status sculpts activity of crayfish neurons” by Marcia Barinaga (Research News, [19 Jan., p. 290][1]), which discussed the report “The effect of social experience on serotonergic modulation of the escape circuit of crayfish” by Shih-Rung Yeh et al . in the same issue ([p. 366][2]). A statement in Barinaga's article says that male crayfish display dominance behavior toward other males. My 1995 school science fair project was on the subject of fighting and dominance behavior in crayfish. I paired crayfish, videotaped their encounters, and noted the resulting dominance behavior. I carefully noted the sex of the crayfish. I discovered that not only males fight males, but females fight males and females fight other females. In general, one cannot predict which animal will finally be dominant. That is, females or males can show dominance in a mixed fight. I also observed that relative size or the absence of a claw were not predictors of dominance. [1]: /lookup/doi/10.1126/science.271.5247.290 [2]: /lookup/doi/10.1126/science.271.5247.366

TESTIS AND ANDROGENIC GLAND DURING DEVELOPMENT OF EXTERNAL SEXUAL CHARACTERISTICS OF THE CRAYFISH PROCAMBARUS CLARKII

The androgenic glands, which are epithelial endocrine glands of Crustacea, are known to control differentiation and functioning of the male sexual characteristics. In the crayfish Procambarus clarkii (Decapoda, Reptantia), however, the function of this gland is not clear. In the present study, the relationships among development of the testis, secondary sexual characteristics (i.e., the copulatory appendages), and the androgenic gland in male crayfish were observed. Morphological differentiation of the first and second pairs of abdominal appendages (i.e., the copulatory appendages) of male crayfish were divided into 5 stages, from stage A to stage E. At stage A, the androgenic glands had already appeared. The male characteristics of external morphology appeared on the abdominal appendages at stage A also. At stage B, the glands were small and had the appearance of an extended string. From stage B to stage C, the number of androgenic gland cells increased, and the gland cells were large. At stages B and C, the first and second abdominal appendages were completely differentiated. Testes of crayfish with stage A appendages are immature. Increase in the number of spermatogonia at stage B, spermatogenesis at stage C, and release of spermatozoa from the testis at stage D, were observed. These results suggest androgenic gland control of differentiation, development of the testes, and secondary sexual characteristics.

Winning Agonistic Encounters By Male Crayfish Orconectes Rusticus (Girard) (Decapoda, Cambaridae): Chela Size Matters But Chela Symmetry Does Not

Winning Agonistic Encounters By Male Crayfish Orconectes Rusticus (Girard) (Decapoda, Cambaridae): Chela Size Matters But Chela Symmetry Does Not

Winning Agonistic Encounters By Male Crayfish Orconectes Rusticus (Girard) (Decapoda, Cambaridae): Chela Size Matters But Chela Symmetry Does Not

Winning Agonistic Encounters By Male Crayfish Orconectes Rusticus (Girard) (Decapoda, Cambaridae): Chela Size Matters But Chela Symmetry Does Not

摩周湖に分布するザリガニについて

Crayfish in Lake Mashu, Hokkaido, Japan, were captured with tangle nets in the summer of 1992. All specimens, 171 males and 517 females, had intermediate diagnostic character between two subspecies, Pacifastacus leniusculus leniusculus and P, l. trowbridgii. Although three very large individuals of unidentified crayfish were captured in this lake by poachers of trout in 1975 and 1985, there is no certain confirmation because of illegal samplings. One of the present authors took a chance to measure one of them, a fresh male crayfish with very large chelae, in 1975 when he was 11 years old and recorded only its giant size, i.e. 47 cm carapace length. However, the largest P. leniusculus collected in this study was 5.7cm in c. l. Neoteny may have occurred because there is no secondary sexual character on chelae of adult P. leniusculus males. This lake has no river. Age of the lake is estimated as about 2000 years old. Further, all species of fish and crustaceans in the lake were artificially introduced from other waters. Of crayfish, only P. leniusculus occurs and was introduced from Portland, Oregon, U.S.A., in 1930. From these, the unidentified gigantic crayfish seems to have been P. leniusculus grown to a giant size.

Selective foraging by the crayfish Orconectes virilis and its impact on macroinvertebrates

SUMMARY. 1. The impact of crayfish predation on the abundance of macroinvertebrates was examined under semi‐natural conditions. Female (Experiment 1) or male (Experiment 2) crayfish (Orconectes virilis) were held for 5 weeks in twelve small pools (4.67 m2 surface area) at biomasses of 0. 5, 10 or 18 g m−2 (live weight). The pools were stocked with known densities of macroinvertebrates.2. Crayfish significantly affected the abundance of macroinvertebrates in the pools. Differences in the effects of crayfish on macroinvertebrates were related to crayfish sex, the presence of age‐0 crayfish, and the species of macroinvertebrate.3. The abundance of snails (Stagnicola elodes and Physa gyrina) was greatly reduced, in comparison with controls, by biomass of female crayfish ≥10 g m−2 and by biomasses of male crayfish ≥5 g m−2. The total density of non‐molluscan invertebrates was inversely correlated with the biomass of female crayfish but the total biomass of non‐molluscan invertebrates did not differ between treatments. This is consistent with our observation that small invertebrates (<2 mg wet weight) were less numerous, and large amphipods (32–64 mg) were more numerous, in pools stocked with female crayfish. In contrast, male crayfish had little apparent effect on the abundance of non‐molluscan invertebrates.4. Age‐0 crayfish hatched at the end of Experiment 1 and were present in each pool at the start of Experiment 2. Surprisingly, male crayfish preyed little on age‐0 crayfish. At the end of Experiment 2, the densities of age‐0 crayfish varied between six and 116 individuals m−2 and there was a strong inverse correlation between the mean biomass and density of age‐0 crayfish recovered from the pools. This suggests age‐0 crayfish were food limited in the pools and may explain the dominance of oligochaetes (which largely escape predation by burrowing) in the invertebrate community at the end of Experiment 2.5. These results indicate that even relatively low densities of crayfish could greatly affect the abundance of macroinvertebrates in lakes. The introduction of crayfish into lakes (most lakes in Alberta currently have no crayfish) could substantially affect abundance and species composition of the macroinvertebrate community and, ultimately, the fish populations.

The impact of the crayfish Orconectes virilis on aquatic macrophytes

SUMMARY. 1. The impact of crayfish on the biomass, density and shoot morphology of four submersed plant species was examined under semi‐natural conditions. Male or female crayfish (Orconectes virilis) were held for 5 weeks at biomasses of 0, 5, 10 or 18 g m−2 (live weight) in twelve plastic pools (4.67 m2, surface area) containing Potamogeton richardsonii, Myriophyllum exalbescens, Nuphar variegatum and Sparganium eurycarpum.2. Crayfish significantly affected biomass, density and/or shoot morphology of all four macrophyte species. Differences in the effect of crayfish on macrophyte growth were related to plant species, crayfish sex and activity, and the abundance of alternative foods.3. The effect of female crayfish on macrophyte growth was generally stimulatory. Myriophyllum and Potamogeton biomass, Potamogeton density and Myriophyllum length increased in the presence of female crayfish, possibly due to the reduction in herbivorous snails as a result of crayfish predation. In contrast, plant growth decreased in the presence of male crayfish: Myriophyllum, Nuphar and Potamogeton biomass, Myriophyllum and Sparganium density, and Sparganium and Poiamogeton length were reduced at male crayfish biomasses between 5 and 18 g m−2.4. These results indicate that even relatively low densities of crayfish can greatly affect the growth of submersed aquatic plants. Because of their ability to modify aquatic macrophyte, macroinvertebrate and, ultimately, fish communities, the introduction of crayfish into lakes where they do not occur could have a major effect on the structure and composition of the littoral zone.

Control of methyl farnesoate synthesis in the mandibular organ of the crayfishProcambarus clarkii:Evidence for peptide neurohormones with dual functions

Summary Red pigment-concentrating hormone stimulates the mandibular organ of Procambarus clarkii to synthesize methyl famesoate. The mandibular organs of male crayfish were more active than those of females. Hormonal stimulation can be mimicked by calcium ionophore A23187 and the activity of the gland can be reduced by replacing calcium in the media with lanthanum. Mandibular organ synthetic activity is inhibited by pigment-dispersing hormone.

Disturbance pheromones in the crayfishOrconectes virilis

The reactions of individual crayfish to the introduction of waters from tanks containing other individuals were recorded to test for the release of chemicals by stressed crayfish. FemaleOrconectes virilis and maleO. rusticus did not show responses to stressed crayfish. MaleO. virilis responded differently to undisturbed and disturbed male crayfish (conspecific and heterospecific). Responses to waters from tanks which contained disturbed individuals were similar whether the source of disturbance was aggressive, predatory, or thermal. Chemical(s) involved appear to persist for at least one hour at room temperature.

Effects of Aggressive Interaction on Temperature Selection by the Crayfish, Orconectes virilis

The importance of aggression as a factor affecting temperature selection by crayfish has not been studied. In this study, temperatures selected in a horizontal temperature gradient by crayfish (Orconectes virilis) when tested together were compared to temperatures selected previously by each crayfish when tested alone. Adult male crayfish of similar size which selected nearly the same temperature when alone were paired and retested. Spatial segregation between paired crayfish tested together in the gradient chamber resulted in distinct differences in temperatures selected by each crayfish, and caused many crayfish to shift from previously selected temperatures. Increased movement and therefore more variability in temperature selection by individuals also resulted when crayfish were together. Changes in temperature selection depended on the relative social rank: dominants were affected least, and displaced subordinates from previously selected temperatures. These results show that agonistic interaction is an important factor in thermal gradient studies of crayfish. Crayfish exhibit behavioral mechanisms, not only to seek out favorable temperature ranges, but to segregate according to dominance order.

Toxicokinetic and metabolic study of dimethylnitrosamine and diethylnitrosamine in crayfish Austropotamobius pallipes.

The acute toxicities of dimethylnitrosamine and diethylnitrosamine have been evaluated in adult male crayfish Austropotamobius pallipes; LD50 values are 2250 mg/kg and 230 mg/kg, respectively. Toxicokinetic studies of 14C-dimethylnitrosamine and 14C-diethylnitrosamine in crayfish, administered by i.v. injection, show high concentrations of 14C in abdominal muscle and hepatopancreas. Excretion is greater with dimethylnitrosamine, and retention in the tissues, especially the hepatopancreas, is greater with diethylnitrosamine. Metabolites identified in excreta include monomethylnitrosamine from dimethylnitrosamine, and hydroxyethyl-ethyl-, bishydroxyethyl- and carboxyethyl-ethylnitrosamine from diethylnitrosamine.

Effects of poultry waste supplementation to rice-crayfish ( Oryza sativa-Procambarus clarkii) culture ponds

A study was conducted to determine if poultry manure supplementation to experimental crayfish culture ponds planted in rice would have an effect on pond metabolism, water quality, and crayfish population dynamics. Fourteen 0.014 ha ponds 0.75 m deep were planted in the summer of 1978. Ponds were flooded on 1 October 1980, and fresh poultry manure was applied biweekly. Three treatments were evaluated: (1) rice receiving poultry manure at a mean rate of 10.2 kg ha −1 day −1 (low manure), (2) rice receiving poultry manure at a mean rate of 102.1 kg ha −1 day −1 (high manure), and (3) rice only (control). Diel dissolved oxygen changes were measured to assess gross photosynthesis and net respiration rates. Midday ammonia-nitrogen, pH, alkalinity, and turbidity levels were also monitored. Crayfish dynamics were assessed by regularly sampling with three gear types. Preliminary evaluation of the pond system revealed no differences in sediment chemistry, young-of-the-year recruitment, or vegetation standing crop. No deleterious oxygen demand was created by manuring; instead the highly manured ponds had elevated photosynthetic rates. NH 3-N rose to 1.80 mg l −1, but never influenced population structure or growth. The high-manure treatment had the most obvious effect on crayfish dynamics. Form I (a sexually mature male crayfish) catch per unit effort (CPUE), total CPUE, length, and abundance differences were detected in the later months and were greater in the high-manure treatment than in the other treatments. Both growth and survival were elevated by the high manuring rate.

Sex recognition in the crayfish Procambarus clarkii.

Male crayfish, Procambarus clarkii, show different behaviors toward males (aggression) and females (submission, courtship). Behavioral and neurophysiological tests with water in which the crayfish had been held demonstrated the existence of sex pheromones. The inner rami of the antennules are the site of reception, and the chemicals are probably carbohydrates.

Serial homologies among three pairs of abdominal appendages of certain male crayfishes (Decapoda, Astacidae)

Serial homologies among three pairs of abdominal appendages of certain male crayfishes (Decapoda, Astacidae)

FACTORS INFLUENCING MOLTING AND THE SEXUAL CYCLES IN THE CRAYFISH

1. The phenomena of the delay in spring molt of egg-carrying females and of the changes in sexual form of males at the time of molt are described and illustrated by field observations on the crayfish, C. propinquus.2. Removal of the eggs from the pleopods of egg-bearing females, C. propinquus, during the male spring-molting period results in an earlier onset of molting.3. The delay in the spring molt of egg-carrying female crayfish, C. immunis and C. propinquus, is regulated by the action of the molt-inhibiting hormone of the sinus glands.4. Various factors, that may operate to maintain the sinus gland activity until after the eggs hatch and the young leave the female, are discussed.5. The changes in sexual form of male crayfish, C. immunis, at the time of spring and summer molts, and during winter molts induced by eyestalk extirpation are described.6. Evidence is presented supporting an hypothesis that a male sex hormone, elaborated in the testes or other tissues, may regulate the cycle of changes in sexual form at the time of molt.

A Peculiar Regeneration of the First Abdominal Appendage in the Male Crayfish Cambarus virilis Hagen

Previous articleNext article No AccessShorter Articles and DiscussionA Peculiar Regeneration of the First Abdominal Appendage in the Male Crayfish Cambarus virilis HagenF. B. AdamstoneF. B. Adamstone Search for more articles by this author PDFPDF PLUS Add to favoritesDownload CitationTrack CitationsPermissionsReprints Share onFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditEmail SectionsMoreDetailsFiguresReferencesCited by The American Naturalist Volume 62, Number 681Jul. - Aug., 1928 Published for The American Society of Naturalists Article DOIhttps://doi.org/10.1086/280215 Views: 3Total views on this site Citations: 2Citations are reported from Crossref PDF download Crossref reports the following articles citing this article:Mesalie Feleke, Samuel Bennett, Jiazhi Chen, David Chandler, Xiaoyong Hu, Jiake Xu Biological insights into the rapid tissue regeneration of freshwater crayfish and crustaceans, Cell Biochemistry and Function 39, no.66 (Jun 2021): 740–753.https://doi.org/10.1002/cbf.3653Willem J. Ouweneel Developmental Genetics of Homoeosis, (Jan 1976): 179–248.https://doi.org/10.1016/S0065-2660(08)60439-3

STUDIES ON THE SECONDARY SEXUAL CHARACTERS OF CRAYFISHES. V. MALES WITH FEMALE CHARACTERS

A number of crayfishes belonging to the genus Cambarus in which secondary sexual characters of both sexes were found upon the same individual have been described by Faxon, Hay, Ortman and the writer. All of these specimens with the exception of one described by Hay were females. In some cases there was a full complement of female secondary sexual characters with the addition of one or more male characters and in other cases a female character was lacking while one or more male characters were present. The one exceptional specimen described by Hay was hermaphroditic and possessed both male and female primary and secondary sexual structures. Male crayfishes in the genus Cambarus bearing sexual characters of females have not been noted before and it is the purpose of this paper to describe two specimens which appeared in recent collections made in southeastern Wisconsin. Both specimens were collected from tributaries of the Rock River near Beloit, Wisconsin, the first in July, I923, and the second in July, I924. One is a specimen of Cambarus virilis, 65 mm. long and is a second form male normal in every respect except that an oviducal opening exists upon the left third walking leg. An examination of the internal organs shows a normal spermary and normal spermatic ducts. There is no tube of any kind joined to the oviducal opening at the base of the third walking leg. The second specimen is one of C. propinquus, 46 mm. long, and is identical in its peculiarities with the first specimen described. It is a normal second form male with all the normal internal and external structures of the male but bearing in addition an oviducal opening at the base of the third walking leg. As in the

A Male Crayfish with Some Female Organs

A Male Crayfish with Some Female Organs

On the Anatomy and Development of Distomum cirrigerum, v. Baer

ABSTRACT Material.— In November, 1901, my attention was drawn by a student dissecting a male crayfish (Astacus fluviatilis) to the condition of its muscles. The extensor’ muscles behind the heart contained numerous rounded bodies of a whitish translucent aspect, which varied in size from microscopic dimensions to 1’5 mm. or more in diameter. On examination these bodies proved to be cysts enclosing the trematode Distomum cirrigerum, v. Baer. The living animal could be seen revolving inside the cyst.