Pair formation in the lobster,Homarus americanus:Behavioral development pheromones and mating

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Abstract
Female‐initiated pair formation and mating were observed during long term observations of lobsters (Homarus americanus) in seminatural environments. Females left their solitary shelters and selected the company of dominant, territorial males as much as 7 days before molting. During subsequent pair formation and shelter sharing a number of new behavior patterns were observed, some previously not reported for other Crustacea. Both behavioral displays and a female sex pheromone appear to be involved in pair formation. Mating took place one half hour after the female molted. After mating, pairs remained together in the male's shelter for up to an additional 7 days. During this time males fed on the molt shell and actively defended the area. Females of 58–70 mm carapace length showed varying levels of incomplete pair formation and mating behavior, indicating that courtship and mating behavior may require a number of molts to develop. This size class forms a behavior‐ally defined transition stage. Females larger than 75 mm were behaviorally mature. Pair formation in lobsters appears to protect mature, postmolt females against predation and cannibalism and to insure the reproductive success of dominant males. These observations provide a more natural behavioral context for the function of a sex pheromone in Homarus americanus.