Natura Croatica Issue number: Natura Croatica, Vol. 19 No.1

Terenski pokusi na zajednici dekapodnih rakova s vlasuljama, Anemonia viridis (Forsskål, 1775)

Authors: Roland R. Melzer, Roland Meyer

Authors and affiliation

  • Roland R. Melzer Zoologische Staatssammlung, Münchhausenstr. 21, D-81247 München, Germany
  • Roland Meyer Zoologische Staatssammlung, Münchhausenstr. 21, D-81247 München, Germany

Abstract

We have undertaken for the first time removal and introduction field experiments with both symbiotic (taken from anemones) and anemone-naïve decapods (taken from somewhere else) and tested defence reactions of putative host anemones. Our findings indicate that decapods go through an individual habituation phase before they become symbionts. Once habituated, they are protected from neighbouring anemones as well.

Keywords

symbiosis, field experiments, sea anemones, decapods