Coexistence of congeneric spiny lobsters on coral reefs: differences in conspecific aggregation patterns and their potential antipredator benefits


Por: Briones-Fourzan, P, Lozano-Alvarez, E

Publicada: 1 jun 2008
Categoría: Aquatic Science

Resumen:
Den sharing by conspecific spiny lobsters (aggregation) is modulated by chemical attraction but may confer several, not necessarily mutually exclusive, antipredator byproduct benefits: a "guide effect", which only benefits the individual attracted to a sheltered conspecific; a "dilution effect", which reduces per-capita risk of predation simply through aggregation; or active "group defense". Each potential benefit has a different set of predictors (relationships between aggregation and conspecific or predator densities), but conflicting results could suggest the simultaneous operation of more than one benefit. These predictions were tested for coexisting Panulirus guttatus (a reef-obligate) and Panulirus argus (a temporary reef-dweller) using data collected during 11 surveys on fixed sites over a coral reef in Mexico. P. guttatus greatly outnumbered P. argus, but P. argus showed a greater tendency to aggregate. All three benefits of den sharing operated for the more social P. argus, wi

Filiaciones:
Briones-Fourzan, P:
 Univ Nacl Autonoma Mexico, Unidad Acad Puerto Morelos, Inst Ciencias Mar & Limnol, Cancun 77500, QR, Mexico

Lozano-Alvarez, E:
 Univ Nacl Autonoma Mexico, Unidad Acad Puerto Morelos, Inst Ciencias Mar & Limnol, Cancun 77500, QR, Mexico
ISSN: 07224028





Coral Reefs
Editorial
Springer Verlag, 233 SPRING ST, NEW YORK, NY 10013 USA, Estados Unidos America
Tipo de documento: Article
Volumen: 27 Número: 2
Páginas: 275-287
WOS Id: 000255191100005