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Inter- and intra-specific variation in the facial colours of Perisesarma eumolpe and Perisesarma indiarum (Crustacea: Brachyura: Sesarmidae)

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Abstract

The colour of the characteristic facial bands in the mangrove crabs Perisesarma eumolpe (De Man) and Perisesarma indiarum (Tweedie) were investigated in relation to species, sex and size. Quantitative red/blue/green (RBG) values extracted from close-up digital photographs of 27 P. indiarum and 48 P. eumolpe specimens revealed significant differences between species and sexes. Males of both species possessed facial bands characterized by a greater intensity of blue, whereas green was more pronounced in female facial bands. It is postulated that these colour differences play a role in intra-specific sexual recognition. There existed a significant positive relationship between size and the intensity of blue in the facial bands of females of both species, suggesting these traits function as an indicator of their maturity (and possibly body condition). In large males, facial band colours contrast strongly against the surrounding mudflat and may play an important role in conspecific signalling during territorial disputes or contests over access to females.

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Acknowledgements

Many thanks to Peter Ng for the initial ideas that provided the impetus for this study. Thanks also to Li Daiqin and Eunice Tan for darkroom use, and Boon Pei Ya and Jeremy Chan for assistance in the field. This project was funded by National University of Singapore’s UROPS programme.

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  1. Marine Biology Laboratory, Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, Science Drive 4, Blk S1 #02-05, Singapore, 117543, Singapore

    H. Huang & P. A. Todd

  2. Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, Science Drive 4, Singapore, 117543, Singapore

    D. C. J. Yeo

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Huang, H., Todd, P. & Yeo, D. Inter- and intra-specific variation in the facial colours of Perisesarma eumolpe and Perisesarma indiarum (Crustacea: Brachyura: Sesarmidae). Hydrobiologia 598, 361–371 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10750-007-9169-z

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