Interaction between anthropogenic stressors affects antipredator defence in an intertidal crustacean
Data files
Apr 18, 2025 version files 32.78 KB
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carcinus.maenas.antipredator.csv
6.33 KB
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carcinus.maenas.luminance.csv
24 KB
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README.md
2.45 KB
Abstract
The marine environment is increasingly subject to changes driven by anthropogenic stressors which may alter species’ key behaviours and impact phenotypic plasticity. Such stressors rarely occur in isolation, yet our understanding of how simultaneous stresses affect marine organisms is limited. Here we study the combined impacts of a major global stressor, temperature increase, and a local stressor, anthropogenic noise, upon key defensive traits of the shore crab, Carcinus maenas. We tested the colour change and behavioural responses of crabs in relatively colder and warmer water, and in the presence of natural ambient or ship noise. Using image analysis and a model of predator vision, we demonstrate that crabs change colour, and improve camouflage, fastest in warmer water in the absence of anthropogenic noise. When anthropogenic noise was present it adversely impacted crab colour change and camouflage, to the extent that the accelerated change due to temperature was negated. Additionally, anthropogenic noise affected C. maenas’ behaviour, reducing the likelihood and increasing the latency of antipredator response to stimuli. This reveals a possible mitigative antagonism, with the biological response to temperature reduced by the presence of anthropogenic noise. Our study demonstrates how interactions between anthropogenic stressors may impact marine life.
https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.w9ghx3fzt
Description of the data and file structure
Juvenile Carcinus maenas were exposed to a combination of anthropogenic noise and raised temperatures in a laboratory environment. Impacts of this stressor combination on crab luminance change and background matching ability were measured through image analysis with respect to an avian predator vision model. Crabs were also monitored in behavioural trials for their likelihood and time taken to react to a simulated predatory attack under stressor combinations.
Files and variables
File: carcinus.maenas.luminance.csv
Description:
Variables
- crab.id: each crabs individual identifier during the study
- temperature: temperature experienced by crabs; a "hot" temperature treatment of 24 degrees Celsius and a "cold, a temperature treatment of 14 degrees Celsius.
- noise: "ship" noise refers to simulated anthropogenic noise pollution treatment. and "ambient" to a control treatment of ambient sounds played at the same temperature.
- weight.g: weight of each crab in grams.
- width.mm: width of each crab in millimetres, measured at the widest point of the carapace (spine to spine)
- luminance: crab carapace luminance generated through image analysis with respect to an avian predatory visual model
- moult.no: Number of moults experienced by each crab
- moult: Moult Yes/No
- week: Week 0 or 6; start and end of experimental period
- background.match: difference between luminance reading of the crab carapace and of the background.
File: carcinus.maenas.antipredator.csv
Description:
Variables
- temperature.treatment: temperature experienced by crabs; a "hot" temperature treatment of 24 degrees Celsius and a "cold, a temperature treatment of 14 degrees Celsius.
- sound.played: "ship" noise refers to simulated anthropogenic noise pollution treatment. and "ambient" to a control treatment of ambient sounds played at the same temperature.
- retreat: Whether crabs retreated from a simulated predatory attack (Yes "Y"/No "N")
- time: Time taken for crab to retreat to shelter following attack in seconds.
- previous.exposure: Exposure of crabs to noise treatments in the luminance change experiment, which was conducted prior to the behavioural trials.
Juvenile Carcinus maenas were exposed to a combination of anthropogenic noise and raised temperatures in a laboratory environment. Impacts of this stressor combination on crab luminance change and background matching ability were measured through image analysis with respect to an avian predator vision model. Crabs were also montored in behavioural trials for their likelihood and time taken to react to a simulated predatory attack under stressor combinations.