Papers by Francesca Gherardi
Behavioural Processes, Jan 1, 1999
This study examines the ability of Octopus vulgaris to prey on bivalve molluscs showing that octo... more This study examines the ability of Octopus vulgaris to prey on bivalve molluscs showing that octopuses exhibited the same behavioural pattern irrespective of the prey species. When the initial pulling method did not result efficient octopuses skipped to drilling accompanied by an increase in the handling time. A complete behavioural repertoire of O. vulgaris in handling bivalve preys is also given.
Marine and Freshwater Behaviour and Physiology, Jan 1, 2006
... Crayfish invading Europe: the case study of Procambarus clarkii. Author: Gherardi, Francesca ... more ... Crayfish invading Europe: the case study of Procambarus clarkii. Author: Gherardi, Francesca 1. Source: Marine and Freshwater Behaviour and Physiology, Volume 39, Number 3, September 2006 , pp. 175-191(17). Publisher: Taylor and Francis Ltd. ...
Ethology, Jan 1, 2010
Locomotor activity in a field population of the freshwater crab, Potamon fluviatile, was studied ... more Locomotor activity in a field population of the freshwater crab, Potamon fluviatile, was studied during the breeding season by means of radio-telemetry and by direct counts of active animals along a transect of the stream. The basic pattern of crabs' locomotor activity can be described as a sequence of short distance movements around the shelters (foraging movements), followed by rarer long distance displacements (wandering movements). Whilst direct counting showed that the crabs exhibit a broadly nocturnal rhythm in foraging movements, no daily periodicity in wandering activity was revealed by telemetry. There is sexual difference in these latter excursions: females move farther along the stream and into the surrounding terrestrial habitat than do males. This behaviour is in contrast to observations made during the non-breeding season and is probably related to the stage of female reproduction.
Marine Biology, Jan 1, 1991
The behavior and ecology of two mangrove crabs,Sesarma meinerti De Man, 1887 andCardisoma carnife... more The behavior and ecology of two mangrove crabs,Sesarma meinerti De Man, 1887 andCardisoma carnifex (Herbst, 1794) were investigated at the beginning of the rainy season (October–November 1988) at Mida Creek, Kenya. Both species occupy upper intertidal levels, above mean high-water neap, and completely overlap in their zonation. Each burrow lasts ca. 3 wk, with no significant difference between the species. Both are more active around dusk and dawn and also follow a similar trend in their foraging activity, but differ in that burrowing is mainly diurnal inC. carnifex and nocturnal inS. meinerti. A hierarchy of food preference, established by offeringC. carnifex andS. meinerti leaves of five mangrove species, proved similar for both, withBruguiera gymnorhiza ranking first andAvicennia marina last, but significant only forC. carnifex. A rough estimate of the amount of litter consumed by these two species and of the soil mixed up by their burrowing activity indicates that they play a role of primary importance in the ecology of East African mangroves.
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Papers by Francesca Gherardi