EASTERN OYSTERS CRASSOSTREA VIRGINICA DETER CRAB PREDATORS BY ALTERING THEIR MORPHOLOGY IN RESPONSE TO CRAB CUES

Many prey species alter their behavior and/or morphology in response to exudates from predators and injured whirlwind direct2 con- or heterospecifics to alleviate predation risk.Yet, few studies have assessed the effectiveness of risk aversion in prey in terms of decreasing mortality.Recent studies have shown that eastern oysters Crassostrea virgin