Chemical sex discrimination in the crayfishProcambarus clarkii: Role of antennules

Chemical sex discrimination of conspecifics by male and female crayfish (Procambarus clarkii) was tested. Intact female subjects were more attentive in the presence of stimulus water from males than from females and showed more aggressive postures in the presence of stimulus water from females than from males. Intact males showed more aggressive postures in the presence of stimulus water from males than from females. Females and males with only one inner antennule ramus and one outer ramus performed discrimination and localization almost as well as intact subjects. Subjects with only the two inner rami or only the two outer rami were disadvantaged in either responding to the stimuli or localizing them. The relevance of this outcome to previous conflicting reports on the use of antennules in sex discrimination in crayfish is discussed.