Parent Record: Colouration and Colour Changes of the Fiddler Crab, Uca capricornis

这项调查的目的是定量描述角叉蟹的颜色模式，以及它们在具有社会意义的时间尺度上的变化能力。作为本次调查的一部分，共进行了五项实验，于2005年11月至2006年1月在达尔文的东点保护区进行了实地考察。这五个实验是：<br/> <br/> 1)量化角叉蟹黑色甲壳上的颜色图案--研究颜色、甲壳大小和性别之间的关系。这些信息被用来构建图像，说明各种蟹类的可能颜色模式。<br/> <br/> 2)制作与换羽相关的颜色变化的笼子，并放养测量和拍摄的螃蟹。总共有21只(11只雌性，10只雄性)通过至少一次换羽拍摄到了照片。<br/> <br/> 3)与半月周期有关的颜色变化--在一个半月周期中，从一个小潮到下一个小潮，拍摄了22只螃蟹(10只雄性，12只雌性)在大约低潮时活跃在笼子里的数字照片。对照片进行检查，观察每天的颜色变化。<br/> <br/> 4)每日颜色变化-大潮后第二天观察到27只螃蟹(13只雄性，14只雌性)，经历了几个半月周期。这些螃蟹的数码照片是在退潮前、退潮期间和退潮后拍摄的。对这些照片进行了检查，看是否有颜色或图案的变化。<br/> <br/> 5)快速变色-使用便携式分光光度计评估螃蟹在20分钟内变色的能力。

The purpose of this investigation was to quantitatively describe the colour patterns of the fiddler crab Uca capricornis and their ability to change on a socially significant timescale. Five experiments were conducted as part of this investigation, with fieldwork completed in East Point Reserve, Darwin (NT) from Nov. to Jan. in 04/05 and 05/06. The five experiments were: <br /> <br /> 1) Quantifying colour patterns on the black carapace of the fiddler crab Uca capricornis- To examine the relationship between colouration, carapace size, and sex. This information was used to construct images illustrating the probable colour patterns of various groups of crabs.<br /> <br /> 2) Colour changes associated with moulting - Cages were constructed and stocked with crabs which had been measured and photographed. In total 21 individuals (11 females, 10 males) were photographed through at least one moult. <br /> <br /> 3) Colour changes associated with the semilunar cycle - During one semilunar cycle, from one neap tide to the next, digital photographs were taken of 22 crabs (10 males, 12 females) active in the cages at approximately low tide. Photos were examined to observe any colour changes on a day to day basis. <br /> <br /> 4) Daily colour changes - Twenty-seven crabs (13 males, 14 females) were observed on the day after spring tide over several semilunar cycles. Digital photos of the crabs were taken before, during and after low tide. These photographs were examined for any changes in colour or pattern. <br /> <br /> 5) Rapid colour changes - The ability of the crab to change colour over a 20 minute period was assessed using a portable spectrophotometer.