Abstract

Chelal autotomy was induced in groups of crayfish, Procambarus clarkii (Girard), to evaluate the major chelae's role in feeding, cannibalism and sexual maturation. Juveniles were treated as follows: chelae left intact (control, n=240); chelae-immobilized (n=240); and chelae-absent (n=240) and stocked in groups of 40 in 0.75 m² pools. Each chelae treatment was subdivided into commercial diet or commercial diet plus vegetable matter. After two months, carapace length or number of moults did not differ between treatments. Chelae-intact groups had higher mortality (ANOVA, p<0.05). Fewer males matured when chelae were absent (ANCOVA, p<0.05). The influence of female presence and chelae absence was examined on incidence of moulting and change in reproductive form. Chelae absence in males inhibited maturation and caused some mature males to moult to Form II. Autotomy did not increase moulting rate in juveniles. The data support the hypotheses: 1) in culture, major chelae are less important for feeding than for capturing conspecifics prior to cannibalism; 2) endocrine effects of autotomy influence maturation as well as moulting; and 3) cannibalism was not due to dietary deficiency.

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