Mating Behavior of the Rock Crab, Cancer irroratus

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Abstract
A pair of rock crabs, Cancer irroratus, in mating embrace an hour after being placed in a laboratory tank, was observed intermittently until ecdysis of the female and copulation of the pair, and then until escape of the female 27 d after ecdysis. When separated from the mating embrace, the hard-shelled female sought out the male. Approach of female ecdysis was indicated by protrusion of a soft spherical bulge at the rear of the epimeral line. Details of the immediate pre- and postcopulatory behavior were observed continuously from 26 min before to 150 min after copulation. The female was first noted separated from the male 7 h after copulation. Periods of separation increased until mating interactions were completely abandoned 5 d after copulation. A second pair subsequently observed confirmed the above. Mating embrace was also observed between a hard-shelled male and a hard-shelled female that already had sperm plugs. Key words: Crustacea, crabs, copulation, molt indicators

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