Testing behavior model for Ocypode cursor (Linnaeus, 1758) living on Iztuzu Beach

Abstract

Current study was carried out between May 2014 and May 2015 on İztuzu Beach (Mugla, Turkey). Carapace width, the depth they were caught in their burrows and distance of their burrows from the sea parameters of 244 Ocypode cursor individuals were recorded. A hypothesis derived from the observations during the fieldworks was tested statistically based on the data. According to the hypothesis of study, caught crabs with larger carapace widths (> 20 mm) intent to escape from their burrows while they are still close to the sand surface during the digging activity of researcher. But smaller ghost crabs (< 20 mm) shows tendency to hide in the deeper portions of their burrows. Statistical analysis showed that there is a negative correlation between caught depth and carapace width, and gender factor has an important role in this hypothesis (r = -0.69 for females and r = -0.70 for males; p < 0.05). It was found that distance of burrows from the sea had no effect on the behavior model. Caught depth parameter was collected first time by this study for the ocypodid crabs.