Predicting the winning or losing of symmetrical contests in the American lobster Homarus americanus (Milne-Edwards)

Document Type

Article

Date of Original Version

9-30-1997

Abstract

The ability to predict the outcome of symmetrical contests between male lobsters (Homarus americanus) on the basis of 21 variables was investigated using a stepwise discriminant analysis. Measured variables included wet weight, carapace length, claw length, width and thickness, claw volume, claw contraction force, handedness, antenna length, color, plasma protein level, plasma calcium level, exoskeleton calcium concentration and motor activity. Plasma protein level, exoskeleton calcium concentration and claw dimensions were found to be important in the above ascending order for discrimination with an average squared canonical correlation of 0.55-0.65. The discussion focuses on the variables differentiating winners from losers and whether these variables could also aid competing lobsters when assessing the relative fighting ability of their rivals.

Publication Title, e.g., Journal

Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology

Volume

217

Issue

1

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