Mantis ShrimpLeah Cepko & Mason Kennon Reed College: Biology Department (Animal Behavior - Fall 2014) |
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OntogenyImage courtesy of UC Berkeley--Evolution webpageOntogeny pertains to the development of a given behavior over an organism’s lifetime. There is very little research concerning genetic and learned elements of stomatopod feeding behavior and the timing of its development over the course of the individual's life history. As a result, we focus on the constraints imposed by the cyclic molting process, necessary throughout the individual's lifetime. Behavior here is more broadly understood in the continuous life cycle morphogenesis on the exoskeleton of the mantis shrimp. The amazing capabilities of the raptorial appendage cannot be understood without acknowledging the effect this exoskeleton structure has throughout the mantis shrimp life cycle. The mantis shrimp has come to be an important organism for research on the evolution of the exoskeleton and how organisms mediate the constraints posed by it. One important cost of the exoskeleton is the necessity to molt, or shed the outer tissue layer regularly. Molting prevents the continual break down of this exterior defensive structure. Molting periods leave the organisms particularly vulnerable to external forces while the new exoskeleton develops. Unfortunately, there is little research investigating the effects of molting on the prey capturing systems of mantis shrimp. Nevertheless, by examination of research pertaining to the effect of the molting process on intraspecific competition, we hope to demonstrate, by analogy, the potential changes in mantis shrimp behavior due to the constraints imposed by the molting process. Additionally, the behaviors of individuals during the molting period is affected by prior experience, and thus changes slightly over its lifetime, as it encounters novel and familiar conspecifics and utilizes information from previous interactions to decide between tactics utilized.
Image courtesy of UC Berkeley--Evolution webpage
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