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ANTdrew's Isopods Journal


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22 replies to this topic

#21 Online Ernteameise - Posted June 8 2023 - 5:44 AM

Ernteameise

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How do Isopods mate?

Is it like in crabs that they mate face to face (because the gonopods are below)?

Or do the males deposit spermatophora?

Just mounting does not seem to me very effective?

I want to know more.



#22 Offline ANTdrew - Posted June 8 2023 - 6:09 AM

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I found this from smug-bug.com:

 

"Isopods typically will not be “caught in the act” of breeding; most will hide away when exposed to light as they are a prey animal. There is always an exception to the rule, and the species A. maculatum readily will breed without fear or shame. While breeding, a male will be seen mounting a female, and the female arches up her hind end to assist. Isopods breed once sexually mature, and for some species this is quite young and small. An isopod will complete 5 molts to reach adulthood, but some species are observed gravid in as little as 2 molts. Young females will mate with large males, and large females will allow small males to mate with them as well. They are not picky animals. An interesting behavior observed in some larger Spanish species is a large mature male can be observed guarding a single female to prevent fertilization from other males."


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#23 Online Ernteameise - Posted June 8 2023 - 6:22 AM

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Ah, okay, so the females must have receptabula at the hind end and not twin "vaginas" as crabs and shrimps have.

Intriguing.






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