SEASONAL CHANGE OF DAY-TO-DAY BEHAVIOR USING TIME-LAPSE INTERVAL INFRARED CAMERA

Abstract

 We investigated over tidal cycles in the 4 seasons, the diel behavior of the sand-crab, Scopimera globosa using 1 minute time-lapse interval infrared cameras on the tidal flat, in the intertidal brackish water area of the mouth of the Isumigawa river, Chiba Prefecture, Japan. As a result, it was confirmed that in June and July, S. globosa was feeding during both day and night. However, in October S. globosa activity outside the nest was confirmed in the light period, but not in the dark period. And in January no activity outside the nest by S. globosa was confirmed. Focusing on the diel behavior, in the light period S. globosa appeared out of the nest quickly on emergence with the receding tide. And when the temperature inside the sediment became 20℃ or higher, activity of S. globosa became active regardless of day and night.

 Thus, using the infrared camera with the interval function, it is possible to examine the diel behavior of S. globosa and its seasonal change by simultaneous visual observations at multiple points.