ANTENNULAR SENSITIVITY OF THE ROCK CRAB CANCER IRRORATUS TO FOOD SUBSTANCES

Abstract

The sensitivity of the rock crab Cancer irroratus to extract of the freeze-dried mussel Geukensia demissa was measured using changes in the crabs' antennular flicking rate (AFR). Concentrations of 10―6 to 10―13 g 1―1 of extract were tested. The antennular flicking rate increased significantly at all concentrations down to 10―10 g 1―1. Nondirected feeding behavior was observed at a concentration of 10―6 g 1―1. At concentrations of 10―11 g 1―1 and below, the increase in flicking rate was not significant, although detection of the extract appeared to occur. A linear relationship exists between the ratio of AFR before introduction of extract to AFR after introduction of the extract and the log concentration of the extract.