Researcher: Dr. Radu Guiasu, Department of Multidisciplinary Studies, Glendon, York University
Research Questions: (1) Are certain species of crayfish more aggressive under specific circumstances? (2) How does this aggression affect competition between species’ (3) How do interactions among crayfish species affect the Ontario distributions of these species and our local freshwater biodiversity?
Methodology: Experimental and observational behaviour analysis. Use of mathematical models to analyse the behavioural data. Collection of crayfish habitat and biogeographical data in the field, in streams and lakes all over southern and central Ontario.
Results and Conclusions: Crayfish exhibit a range of levels of aggression, depending on the species, age and reproductive phase that they are experiencing. Interestingly, females, while not as aggressive, will fight just as long as males.
Dissemination of Results: Dr. Guiasu has published many papers comparing different variations of crayfish contests. He is also co-author of the book Entropy in Ecology and Ethology.
Impact on the Discipline: Dr. Guiasu is the first scientist in his discipline to look at the form of the male crayfish as a factor in aggression. Adult male crayfish alternate between a reproductive form and a non-breeding form each year. Dr. Guiasu has also conducted work on the great overall crayfish species richness in North America and has contributed to the development of new measures of biodiversity.
Impact on Society and Potential Users: The research on crayfish led by Radu Guiasu helps us understand the importance of biodiversity and impacts conservation and ecological policies.
Keywords: crayfish, ecology, biodiversity, animal behaviour, animal competition and aggression, freshwater ecosystems