what is the mating system of King Crabs?

Question

what is the mating systm of king crabs?

Answer 1

Courtship and mating can take anywhere from seconds to weeks, depending on the species. Copulation and mating in King crabs is often a long process involving extended periods of guarding before and after mating. In these cases the female crab can only mate while in her soft-shell condition, so she must molt her exoskeleton immediately prior to mating. A female preparing to molt releases pheromones that attract males; the male will embrace and carry the female for days or even weeks preceding her molt. The male will often stand guard over the female while she is soft to prevent others from mating with her.

The eggs are brooded on the female's pleopods (abdominal appendages) until they hatch. Females clean and aerate their egg masses, and a chemical cue from the eggs stimulates the female to violently shake the mass when the larvae are ready to be released.