Molly Sullivan

Marine Biology- Article Review #2

Sound production in Caribbean spiny lobster Panulirus argus and its role in escape during
predatory attack by Octopus briareus
The goal of this study was to determine the role of stridulation, or sound production in

the lobster Panulirus argus when threatened by its predator Octopus briareus. Spiny lobsters

such as Panulirus argus produce sound using a specific organ found in the animal’s longer

attenae. The organ consists of two parts: a series of ridges at the base of the antennae called the

plectrum, and bump on the side of the lobster’s head known as the file. When the lobster moves

its antennae, the plectrum rubs against the file, creating a loud buzzing sound (Summers). This

mechanism is a defense mechanism against predators. The authors had previously published a

study on its use during triggerfish predation, which showed that the lobsters stridulated when

triggerfish grasped their antennae and attempted to escape by flipping their tail. The researchers

had not determined the function stridulation played in these attacks, as it did not affect lobster

survival rate (Bouma 2006). They suspected that stridulation was a mechanism that had evolved

to protect against nocturnal predators of Panulirus argus, as opposed to diurnal triggerfish which

have strong eyesight.

They chose to test this hypothesis using the predator Octopus briareus, which captures

the lobster by grasping its antennae, similar to the triggerfish. The researchers aimed to

determine whether the lobsters used stridulation as an antipredation tactic, what other

antipredation behavior accompanied it, and how the survival rate varied between stridulating

lobsters and those who had been muted. First, octopuses became acclimated to feeding on

lobsters in the laboratory setting. All trials took place in the same experimental tank, lit only by

dim red lights. An octopus spent 30 minutes in the tank before a lobster was placed on the
opposite end.. Each octopus was used in two trials- once each with a stridulating and mute

lobster that were similar in size. Each trial was recorded on video and then reviewed for lobster

stridulation (recorded using a hydrophone), captures, escapes, injury and the total time for the

octopus to successfully capture the lobster.

The results of the study confirmed the researchers’ hypothesis that stridulation is an

important defense mechanism against Octopus briareus. Of the 15 stridulating lobsters, only one

was consumed by an octopus the first time it was captured, compared to 7 muted lobsters. 10 of

the 12 stridulating lobsters escaped without injury, while only 4 muted lobsters escaped

unharmed. Stridulation occurred in conjunction with tail flips, and lasted on average for 91.8

seconds. Those lobsters that were muted were observed moving their antennae in attempt to

stridulate. Researchers observed that octopuses were more successful at grasping the antennae of

muted lobsters, suggesting that it is not so much the sound which deters prey, but the vibration

of the lobster’s antennae. The vibration decreases the amount of friction between the antennae

and the octopus’s skin, making it harder for the octopus to grip the lobster. Another interesting

observation the researchers made was that lobsters continued to produce sound after they had

been captured. They suggest this might be an attempt to attract predators of the octopus and plan

to conduct further research.

The results of this study show that stridulation is an important trait for lobster survival

against nocturnal predators, and also provides insight into why and how this trait has evolved.

Since various organisms use sound to fight off predators, this study also contributed to our

knowledge of such mechanisms.

http://biomechanics.bio.uci.edu/_html/nh_biomech/lobster_violin/lobster.htm