Mating behaviour in Moina brachiata (Jurine, 1820) (Crustacea, Anomopoda)

Abstract

Information on mating behaviour in Anomopoda is available for very few species only, though mate location and recognition certainly play an important role in maintaining reproductive isolation between species. Ephippial females and males of Moina brachiata were observed in a drop of water under a microscope for 10–20 minutes. Different combinations of specimens were used, but copulation was only observed when two males and two ephippial females were placed together. Males were very active, and often tried to grasp a female, whereas females usually made attempts to escape during the entire period of mating. Three phases were recognized: capture, positioning and copulation. The male captured the female from the dorsal side, then moved to the ventral side and took a position with its length axis being perpendicular to that of the female, forming a sort of cross. Thereafter the pair started rotating around the length axis of the female, while the male pushed the postabdomen into the female’s brood pouch. Copulation lasted from 16 to 25 seconds. When different kinds of females were used, males showed preference for ephippial females with an empty ephippium and enlarged ovaries. Our results indicate that not only visual and tactile cues may be important in identifying species identity and receptivity of the female, but also chemical signals.