Zoology - Theses

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Sensory biology of aquatic Australian crustaceans

PATULLO, BLAIR ( 2010)

Sensory biology of animals is studied throughout the world for the insight it provides to understanding ecosystems and improving how we manage species. In this research, I designed experiments to investigate the sensory biology and behaviour of two Australian species of freshwater crayfish from the genus Cherax, the yabby (Cherax destructor) and redclaw crayfish (Cherax quadricarinatus). Experimental apparatus were constructed and tailored to test specific questions on physiology, tactile (touch) sensitivity, observation techniques, aggressive behaviour and responses to electrical fields. The outcomes were: • abdominal muscle mass was positively correlated to the size of the electrical fields produced by swimming crayfish, • behaviour changed in response to contact with different structures and textures of wall surfaces, • computer analysis of underwater behaviour was similar to that scored by a human observer, • the level of aggression in groups of crayfish changed as group size increased, and • two species of crayfish responded to electrical fields in the water by decreasing their locomotory movement. These results reveal a way in which physiology relates to behaviour, how crayfish and other crustaceans may sense the invisible and behave in aquaculture ponds, as well as documenting methodology to further investigate these areas in the future.