ORCID
- Ari Drummond: 0009-0004-8403-6840
Abstract
The following thesis examines intraspecific sensory diversity in the common hermit crab, Pagurus bernhardus (Plate 1), a tractable Malacostracan model for research in sensory biology and information ecology. By examining variation in sensory morphology and behaviour across two sensory appendages: the chelipeds (chemo-mechanosensory) and the antennules (chemosensory), this work demonstrates how interdisciplinary approaches can elucidate how organisms gather and use information and the structural variation necessary to do so. It further considers the potential fitness consequences of intraspecific sensory diversity (Chapter 1). A discussion of two sources of intraspecific sensory variation—body asymmetry and sexual dimorphism of chelar tissue—and the functional significance of these forms of sensory diversity (Chapter 2) is followed by examination of dimension of how variation in chelar sensilla, a morphological sensory trait, correlates with hermit crab boldness, resulting in a potential “sensory investment syndrome” (Chapter 3). An experimental examination of antennular flicking and variation in individual responses to chemosensory stimuli across different risk regimes (red/dark versus white/bright conditions and shelled/high-risk versus naked/low-risk) shows how individuals vary their sensory responses in response to intrinsic and extrinsic conditions (Chapter 4). Finally, intraspecific variation in antennule chemosensory performance was investigated in response to microplastic fibre pollution (Chapter 5). The presence of microplastics as sources of sensory-structure fouling and damage was examined using scanning electron microscopy; the impact on antennular flicking and grooming was quantified; and the impact on foraging ability was assessed under clean and polluted conditions. Using novel methodical approaches and established behavioural assays, the work reveals the importance of intraspecific variation in the morphology, behaviour, and performance of sensory structures and processes, and demonstrates that P. bernhardus is an exceptional model for the study of sensation in an era of anthropogenic change.
Awarding Institution(s)
University of Plymouth
Supervisor
Mark Briffa, Lucy Turner, Alexander Wilson
Keywords
decapod, crustacean, hermit crab, Pagurus bernhardus, sensory ecology, sensory disruption, intraspecific variation, sensory variation, sensory diversity, chemoreception, sensilla, antennules, arthropod behaviour, antennule flicking, attention, animal personality, boldness, heterochely, sexual dimorphism, microplastics, microfibres, sensory pollution, scanning electron microscopy
Document Type
Thesis
Publication Date
2026
Embargo Period
2026-11-05
Deposit Date
November 2026
DOI Link
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License
Recommended Citation
Drummond, A. (2026) Crustacean Sensation: Intraspecific Sensory Diversity and Patterns of Information Acquisition and Use of an Intertidal Malacostracan. Thesis. University of Plymouth. Available at: http://www.thecrablab.co.uk
