| Description of life cycle and mating behavior |
Egg mass incubated and protected by the female under her foot (Ref. 93583). Female: stage F1 (initial maturity) - gonad yellow, gonadal acini with active initial oogenesis, germinal line with small oogonia and initial previtellogenic oocytes bearing germinal vesicle; stage F2 (peak maturity) - gonad yellow, gonadal acini with complete oogenesis, germinal line filled with free and very large vitellogenic oocytes; stage F3 (regression or post-gamete release, with occasional gonadal recovery) - gonad cream or brown, gonadal acini contracted. Male: stage M1 (initial maturity) - gonad orange, acini with early germinal line, spermatogonia and spermatocytes predominate, penis present; stage M2 (peak maturity) - gonad orange, complete germinal line in gonadal acini; elongate spermatids arranged in tiers filling the acini lumen; stage M3 (regression or maximum release) - gonad translucent, gonadal acini occupied by few residual spermatids of a prior release. The species is reproductively active year-round. More than one male could compulate with a female.
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