Patterns of information flow in the hermit crab Calcinus tibicen

The rate of information transfer, as estimated by changes in the probabilities of execution of visual displays during agonistic interactions, was measured for individual hermit crabs. Using aggregate data it was demonstrated that winners gained more information from losers than losers from winners. Examination of the won and lost fights of individual crabs failed to show any consistent differences in the rate of information transfer. However, crabs that had higher rates of transfer (both in their won and lost fights) won significantly more interactions. Based upon the information transfer values observed, a mixed-strategy model of communication is outlined.