Artificial shelter preference by the Japanese mitten crab Eriocheir japonica

モクズガニの人工的空間に対する選択性に関する研究

Artificial shelter preference by the Japanese mitten crab Eriocheir japonica

Creators Araki Akira

Creators Nakanishi Ryota

Preference for artificial shelter with various height by the Japanese mitten crab Eriocheir japonica was studied. Three experiments were carried out. In experiment 1, E. japonica was a nocturnal species with a greater propensity to shelter during the daytime. In experiment 2 , among shelters of different height [crab body thickness (BT)×1,×2 ,×3,×4and×5], crabs significantly preferred shelters that height was between BT ×2 and BT×3. In experiment 3, natural specimens of E. japonica were hiding in the space (= natural shelter) with various height, that was formed under a boulder stone. Those height of space ranged from BT×1 to BT×11, and both the median and the mode was BT ×3. It was concluded that the most favorite space which was selected by E. japonica had a height from BT×2 to BT×3.

[ISSN]0370-9361