Table 3 Summary of energy investment in the four brachyuran species studied. The complexity of the reproductive system, intensity of mating, polyandry (based on observations in the laboratory) and existence of a strategy to prevent competition (i.e. sperm plug) are indicated for each species and may play key roles in energy investment.

From: Influence of mating strategies on seminal material investment in crabs

Species

Energy investment

Complexity reproductive system

Polygyny

Polyandry

Sperm plug

Homalaspis plana

 + 

 + 

 − 

 − 

 + 

Romaleon setosum

 + 

 + 

*

*

 + 

Metacarcinus edwardsii

 − 

 − 

 + 

 + 

 + 

Taliepus dentatus

 − 

 − 

 + 

 + 

 − 

  1. *Refers to not investigated yet.