Influence of the lunar cycle on the activity pattern of the high Andean freshwater crab Neostrengeria macropa
Abstract
The influence of lunar cycles on animal behavior has been widely documented in marine and terrestrial ecosystems; however, its role in freshwater crustaceans remains poorly understood. This study evaluated the effect of lunar phases on the nocturnal activity pattern of the high Andean freshwater crab Neostrengeria macropa (Milne-Edwards, 1853), an endemic species of the Bogotá plateau. Field observations were conducted at the San Rafael Reservoir (La Calera, Cundinamarca, Colombia) over a one-year period, covering all lunar phases. Behavioral activity was recorded continuously during 24-hour sampling periods using focal animal observations, supported by photographic and video records. Crab activity was quantified based on the number of active individuals and movement-related behaviors. Differences among lunar phases were analyzed using circular statistics, including circular histograms, one-way ANOVA, Kruskal–Wallis tests, Watson–Williams tests, and circular analysis of variance. Results revealed a significant effect of lunar phase on crab activity, with the highest activity levels occurring during the crescent moon, followed by the full moon, while waning and new moon phases exhibited lower activity. Pairwise comparisons confirmed significant differences primarily between the crescent moon and both waning and new moon phases. These findings demonstrate that lunar cycles significantly modulate the nocturnal activity of N. macropa, suggesting that lunar illumination and associated environmental cues play an important role in shaping behavioral rhythms in freshwater crabs. This study provides novel field-based evidence of lunar-driven activity patterns in a Neotropical high-Andean freshwater crab and contributes to a broader understanding of behavioral ecology in non-marine crustaceans.
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