Literaturdatenbank
Literaturdatenbank |
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Thomas, B. R., & Altig, R. (2006). Characteristics of the foreclaw display behaviors of female trachemys scripta (slider turtles). Southeastern Naturalist, 5(2), 227–234.
Added by: Admin (14 Aug 2008 20:32:50 UTC) |
| Resource type: Journal Article BibTeX citation key: Thomas2006 View all bibliographic details  |
Categories: General Keywords: Emydidae, Fortpflanzung = reproduction, Schildkröten = turtles + tortoises, Trachemys, Trachemys scripta, Verhalten = ethology Creators: Altig, Thomas Collection: Southeastern Naturalist |
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| Abstract |
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A common assumption is that titillation by adult female Trachemys scripta (Slider Turtles) always represents female participation in courtship, but there is only limited empirical support for this assertion and some data may contradict this supposition. Behavioral interactions were staged among wild-caught T. scripta throughout the local season of activity for this species (April–October). Each of 47 trials involved 6 turtles (total = 282 turtles: 94 melanistic males, 94 nonmelanistic males, 94 females) videotaped for 3 h (total = 141 h). During our study, titillation behaviors initiated by females were largely intrasexual, exhibited no peak during the local mating period, and did not stimulate males to attempt copulation. We concluded that such characteristics were inconsistent with the traditional assumption of a courtship function and were more consistent with the characteristics of agonistic signals, signals that communicate sender identity, or compound signals with multiple communicative functions that may change ontogenetically or in different social contexts. Because the communicative value(s) of these displays is not yet fully understood, we argue that the traditional term “titillation” that has been used to refer to these displays is inappropriate and should be replaced with “foreclaw display” which is neutral with respect to the potential communicative function(s).
Added by: Admin |