Mating behaviors in the varunid crab Helicana japonica (Decapoda: Varunidae: Cyclograpsinae)

Abstract

The mating behavior of the varunid crab Helicana japonica (Cyclograpsinae) was evaluated in three cases in the field. The male visited a female burrow and invaded the burrow or dug to widen its opening. The female then exited the burrow, and copulation was initiated around the burrow entrance. The duration of copulation was approximately 1–3 minutes. After the pair separated, the male left, while the female remained in the burrow. In all cases, neither courtship display nor mate-guarding was exhibited through mating behaviors. These behaviors were compared with those reported for several cyclograpsine species.