Meeting Abstract

P3.17  Sunday, Jan. 6  Effects of Flow on Social Structure MARTIN III, A.L.*; BOURCIER, T.; Saginaw Valley State University; Saginaw Valley State University almarti2@svsu.edu

Agonism influences the development of social status amongst animal conspecifics. These interactions structure the social dynamics that develop within a population. A variety of factors influence the outcome of social interactions such as size of conspecifics, sex, resource availability, and environmental dynamics. Environmental factors, including flow and shelter availability, dramatically influence and alter fight interactions between individuals, which will influence population social structure. These external factors influence an animal’s decision by modifying signals during communication and an increased resource value may influence competition. Environmental factors influence behavior by altering the agnostic interactions that structure social dynamics. Flow is a very important environmental factor in a lotic environment. Knowing how these factors influence agonism and their impact on structuring social dynamics, we will be able to better understand the importance of environmental factors, such as stream flow, on behavior. Crayfish have been a model organism for quantifying agonistic bouts and social behavior amongst conspecifics. The role that agonism plays in crayfish population dynamics has been understudied. It is poorly understood how a well developed social dynamic influences crayfish position in a lotic environment. In this experiment a 7.569 X 0.991 X 0.175 m3 artificial stream was constructed. Trials consisting of populations with 4 size matched (within 10%) male crayfish, Orconectes propinquus, were analyzed in this study. Video analysis was used to observe these interactions over a 72 hour time period. Time spent up and downstream relative to conspecifics was cataloged and quantified. Preliminary data suggests that flow may influence relative social position of conspecifics in a lotic environment.