| Most studies of communication in freshwater turtles have focused on descriptions of foreclaw displays commonly assumed to function solely to stimulate the receiver's interest in copulation. Empirical support for this assumption is limited and some of the available data seem to contradict this assertion. Sixteen trial sets (32 total trials) were conducted in the laboratory from May through September 2010. Each trial set involved 3 individuals (total = 48 individuals: 16 test males, 16 stimulus males, 16 stimulus females). Each trial set was conducted over a 2 d period. Test males were exposed to two different stimulus animals (either a male or a female) and each trial was videotaped for 3 h (total = 96 h). Test male foreclaw displays were not directed toward females significantly more frequently than toward males. Test male foreclaw display intensity was similar regardless of the sex of the recipient. Frequency of test male foreclaw displays did not increase during the suspected seasonal peak(s) of mating activity, and copulation attempts never occurred subsequent to foreclaw displays. My results were inconsistent with the assumption that foreclaw displays by male C. picta solely function as a courtship signal. I concluded that stimulating female receptivity to copulation may not be the purpose (or at least not the sole purpose) for male foreclaw displays and that such displays may communicate other types of information. |
