Skip to main content

IMIS

A new integrated search interface will become available in the next phase of marineinfo.org.
For the time being, please use IMIS to search available data

 

[ report an error in this record ]basket (1): add | show Print this page

one publication added to basket [322834]
To see or to smell: the role of vision in host-recognition by an ectoparasitic crab
Jossart, Q.; Terrana, L.; De Ridder, C.; Eeckhaut, I.; Monteyne, D.; Caulier, G. (2020). To see or to smell: the role of vision in host-recognition by an ectoparasitic crab. Symbiosis 80(1): 97-101. https://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s13199-019-00657-9
In: Symbiosis. Springer: Philadelphia, Pa.. ISSN 0334-5114; e-ISSN 1878-7665, more
Peer reviewed article  

Available in  Authors 

Keywords
    Echinoidea [WoRMS]; Pinnotheridae De Haan, 1833 [WoRMS]
    Marine/Coastal
Author keywords
    Parasitism; Visual recognition; Pinnotheridae; Echinoids; Behavior; Eye

Authors  Top 

Abstract
    Crustaceans are associated with a wide diversity of hosts, using both chemical and visual cues to recognize them. The pea crab Dissodactylus primitivus is an ectoparasite of two species of irregular echinoids living in the Caribbean Sea. Previous studies showed that the crab chemically discriminates its hosts from non-host species. The possibility that the parasite also visually localizes its host was investigated here through behavioral and morphological approaches. The responses of the parasite to visual cues were investigated in aquaria and show a limited visual ability, leading to sheltering rather than to host localization. This suggests that visual cues are not required to maintain the specificity of the parasitism. Microscopical investigations corroborate this conclusion by revealing a pair of small compound eyes mainly localized under the cephalothorax. The ommatidia (facets) were only found on the covered surface (below the cuticle). Interestingly, a lot of setae were observed around or even directly on the eye and might participate in the overall chemical detection.

All data in the Integrated Marine Information System (IMIS) is subject to the VLIZ privacy policy Top | Authors