Southeastern Fiddler Crabs : Distribut io ns & Characteristics of Burrow Ornamentation
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Abstract
An experimental design has been chosen to exhibit the distributions and characteristics of fiddler crab burrow ornaments , specifically present on the southern coast of the United States. This thesis will demonstrate the growing evidence of non-biological ornamentation found in the burrows constructed by fiddler crabs. To further this research, two sampling sites have been pinpointed along the southeastern coast, Edisto Island and Hunting Island, to survey the existing features of fiddler crab burrow ornaments. The distribution of burrow structures was compared to local regional differences between South Carolina versus Georgia and the Southeast versus the Northeast coast. Furthering this research, it was also postulated that burrowing behavior of fiddler crabs is affected by the sediment size and the construction of the burrow ornaments/hoods. To identify the presence of fiddler crab semi domes and ornaments of the type, a continuation of observations of the ecological features, such as mating, predation, and environmental heterogeneity will be factored.