Multiple reference usage in the zonal recovery behavior by the fiddler crab Uca cumulanta

Prevalence of certain celestial and terrestrial cues was tested in the zona l recovery behavior and orientation of the fiddler crab Uca cumulanta. Expe riments were conducted in the field bordering a mangrove forest on the east ern Venezuelan coast. Uca cumulanta exhibited zonal recovery behavior based on different orientational references, including celestial cues (sun and p olarized sky light) and terrestrial cues (landscape vision and substrate sl ope). Sun azimuth orientation was time-compensated. Apparent solar position and polarized sunlight pattern were celestial cues which, as tested, preva iled over landscape references and beach slope-terrestrial cues-in cueing t he direction of the orientation response shown by crabs.