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Aquat Toxicol

Title:		Copper reduced mating behaviour in male shore crabs (Carcinus maenas (L.))
Author(s):		Krang AS; Ekerholm M;
Address:		"Department of Marine Ecology, Goteborg University, Kristineberg Marine Research Station, Fiskebackskil, Sweden. a.s.krang@kmf.gu.se"
Journal Title:		Aquat Toxicol
Year:		2006
Volume:		20060729
Issue:		1
Page Number:		60 - 69
DOI:		10.1016/j.aquatox.2006.07.014
ISSN/ISBN:		0166-445X (Print) 0166-445X (Linking)
Abstract:		"Many crustaceans use pheromones to find mates and induce mating behaviours. If pollutants impair the ability to detect chemosensory cues and respond to pheromone signals, they could profoundly affect mating. In a series of laboratory experiments, the effect of copper (0, 0.1 or 0.5 mg Cu(II) per litre for 5 days) on specific components of the mating behaviour of male shore crab Carcinus maenas was investigated, as well as differences in sensitivity between red and green colour morphs. The results show that copper exposure clearly altered the response of C. maenas males to a pheromone stimulus (pre-moult female urine) presented alone, together with a dummy female (a sponge injected with pre-moult female urine) or with a real female. Crabs exposed to the highest copper treatment took more than twice as long to initiate search activity after pheromone introduction and their search behaviour was less directed. When offered a dummy female, male crabs showed decreased pheromone discrimination in both copper treatments. Stroking was the only mating behaviour significantly affected, with a 90% reduction in red crabs in the highest copper treatment. Additionally, crabs of the highest copper treatment more often pinched the dummy female (non-mating behaviour). Finally, male crabs exposed to copper more often pinched pre-moult females and it took about three times longer to establish cradle-carrying. Thus, copper affects the ability of males to detect female pheromones, perform specific mating behaviours and to form pairs"
Keywords:		"Animals Brachyura/*drug effects/physiology Copper/*toxicity Female Male Pheromones/pharmacology Sexual Behavior, Animal/*drug effects Time Factors Water Pollutants, Chemical/*toxicity;"
Notes:		"MedlineKrang, Anna-Sara Ekerholm, Mattias eng Comparative Study Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't Netherlands 2006/09/01 Aquat Toxicol. 2006 Oct 25; 80(1):60-9. doi: 10.1016/j.aquatox.2006.07.014. Epub 2006 Jul 29"