ORCID

Abstract

Attention (focused information gathering) is crucial for many cognitive processes. Traditionally dichotomised as reflexive or voluntary, behavioural research often relies on vision for assessments of attention. However, invertebrate information acquisition often utilises chemosensation or mechanosensation, potentially limiting the efficacy of a vision-based approach. We examined attention in Pagurus bernhardus hermit crabs, using antennules (the crustacean first antennae) as indicators of attentional shifts. Considering a change in flicking direction as analogous to a shift in gaze, we examined if hermit crabs show evidence of reflexive or voluntary attention. We exposed crabs to a chemosensory stimulus while manipulating factors influencing vulnerability (i.e., shell presence and lighting conditions). We aimed to examine how vulnerability influences attention by modifying signal salience (the value of the information contained in a stimulus) and individual vigilance (the ability to monitor environmental changes). Given that attention varies with stimulus importance and individual condition, we predicted that antennule shift likelihood, latency, and duration would vary by stimulus type and both intrinsic (shell presence) and extrinsic (light regime) vulnerability. We found that attention can be assessed by monitoring the antennular ‘gaze’ or direction of antennule pointing. Crab vulnerability alters patterns of reflexive attention, modifying patterns of signal salience and individual vigilance. Vulnerability also affected attention duration, demonstrating that hermit crabs may adjust attention based on context, indicative of voluntary attention. This study highlights the utility of a novel approach to assess attention in invertebrates, especially those reliant on chemosensory cues for behavioural decisions and cognitive processes essential to species’ fitness.

Publication Date

2025-01-01

Publication Title

Animal Behaviour

Volume

225

ISSN

0003-3472

Acceptance Date

2025-03-31

Deposit Date

2025-04-15

Funding

We are grateful for the support, knowledge, consideration and patience of the University of Plymouth Marine Biology and Ecology Research Centre (MBERC) laboratory technical staff: Andy Attfield, Chris Moocarme, Andrew Grimmer, Richard Ticehurst and Geffrey Back. Additionally, we thank Kim Davis and the University of Plymouth Library ILL Team for their invaluable support. We are also grateful for the insightful comments of two anonymous referees, which have helped us to improve the clarity of this study.

Keywords

antennule, attention, chemosensation, cognition, crustacean, hermit crab, invertebrate, mechanosensation, sensory

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