REPRODUCTIVE AND MATERNAL BEHAVIOR OF THE MANTIS SHRIMP GONODACTYLUS BREDINI MANNING (CRUSTACEA: STOMATOPODA)

¹ Department of Zoology, University of Iowa, Iowa City
² Department of Zoology, University of California, Berkeley

1. Courtship and copulation are brief in G. bredini. Either sex can indicate courtship by approaching; after antennular palpation the male then grasps the female by the carapace and copulation takes place.

2. Receptive females can be distinguished morphologically by darkened internal organs visible through the telson and behaviorally by their acceptance of a male's approach. Unreceptive females attack males immediately.

3. Males share cavities with females during the few days prior to spawning. Following egg-laying females defend cavities against males. The eggs are kept in the cavity and frequently manipulated; the newly hatched larvae remain in the cavity with the female until they reach Stage IV.

4. The form and duration of reproductive and maternal behavior in G. bredini are apparently a consequence of cavity living.