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Synchronized courtship in fiddler crabs

Author

Listed:
  • Patricia Backwell

    (University of the Witwatersrand)

  • Michael Jennions

    (University of the Witwatersrand)

  • Neville Passmore

    (University of the Witwatersrand)

  • John Christy

    (Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute)

Abstract

The apparent paradox posed by the synchronization of mating displays by males competing to attract females has provoked considerable interest among evolutionary biologists1,3. Such synchronized sexual signalling has only been documented for communicationusing light flashes (bioluminescence) or sound. It has been suggested that the “fundamental reasons that might favour precise adjustments in signal timing relative to that of a particular neighbour could only be compelling for signallers using these two channels”1. Here we provide the first quantitative evidence for synchronous production of a conventional visual courtship signal, the movement of a body part.

Suggested Citation

  • Patricia Backwell & Michael Jennions & Neville Passmore & John Christy, 1998. "Synchronized courtship in fiddler crabs," Nature, Nature, vol. 391(6662), pages 31-32, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:nature:v:391:y:1998:i:6662:d:10.1038_34076
    DOI: 10.1038/34076
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    Cited by:

    1. Lauren M Harrison & Gabriela C Melo & Daniela M Perez & Patricia R Y Backwell, 2021. "Why signal if you are not attractive? Courtship synchrony in a fiddler crab," Behavioral Ecology, International Society for Behavioral Ecology, vol. 32(6), pages 1224-1229.

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