Faculty Advisor
Timothy Sparkes
Abstract
Animals are considered to possess personalities when individuals differ in behavior, and these differences are consistent between situations. Several studies have identified personalities in diverse groups but less is known about personality variation between the sexes. In this study, we examined variation in two key personality traits (boldness, activity) in female and male purple marsh crabs (Sesarma reticulatum) using a semi-field approach. Specifically, we measured boldness and activity on two consecutive days using the same behavioral assays during each time point. Consistency (personality) was determined using Kendall’s coefficient of concordance based on Spearman correlation coefficients for each behavior. The results showed that personalities differed between the sexes. Females exhibited activity personalities but not boldness personalities. Males did not exhibit personalities for either behavior.
Recommended Citation
Sterman, Jillian; Barton, Jessica; Delmedico, Panagiota; and Sweeney, Samantha
(2019)
"Sex-specific Personalities in the Purple Marsh Crab,"
DePaul Discoveries: Volume 8, Article 14.
Available at:
https://via.library.depaul.edu/depaul-disc/vol8/iss1/14
Included in
Animal Studies Commons, Behavior and Ethology Commons, Biology Commons, Marine Biology Commons, Other Animal Sciences Commons, Other Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Commons, Population Biology Commons, Terrestrial and Aquatic Ecology Commons