gonopores, always in pairs? (pics)

[hprmom]

Very new to crabbing! Here are some pics of Hermie, just hanging off an oak branch like a kid dangling from the monkey bars. I see a spot that looks like the photos of gonopores, but only on one side. Is this what I'm looking for, and if so, shouldn't it be visible on both sides? (Clicking on pic will take you to Flickr where you can click for an even larger pic)




Thanks!

[wodesorel]

Intersexuality in crustaceans is actually pretty common. There's a paper on it occurring in coenobita here: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Ol ... 000000.pdf

[hprmom]

Excellent, LOL. 2% observed in ruggies, so my purple pincer could be a rarity, or not, since they weren't part of this study. In any case, according to the article, I can safely tell my 7-year old that Hermie is a "he"!

[wodesorel]

I've had a few PPs that had one, and a few that I swear gained or lost both.

[KellyCrabbieLove]

My Es seem to change every other molt. It really freaks me out.

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

[hprmom]

Well, awesome, lol. That just means I can arbitrarily decide what name each crab "looks" like, and chances are it will be the right gender at some point in its life! Boy was very happy about Hermie, that's his favorite and he was dead set on Hermie being a boy. It was really funny the way he just dangled off the branch like a kid showing off on the playground, he watched me for a few minutes before letting it all hang out. We haven't been able to sex Herminy yet, she's the recluse.

[KellyCrabbieLove]

My biggest E started out male. By his second molt he had a gonopore and after his third he has 2. I still call him a he though. Lol

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

[hprmom]

KellyCrabbieLove, waaaaaaa that's hilarious! Seems like they generally start male and not the other way around.

Herminy got herself into a bit of a predicament... and now we know she's a HE. Aw, no girls in my family since I lost my dogs (it's been years, I'm used to it!). I'm looking at the right pair of legs, right? The second walking pair? (Oh, and I moved that thermometer, suction cup didn't stand a chance.)

[KellyCrabbieLove]

Yes. He looks like a boy. I think our colonies may balance out themselves genderwise. Most of my crabs were male and then they started growing gonopores. Lol

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

[Crabinski]

Boy, am I glad for this thread! I thought I was either seeing "spots" or going mad about two years ago but am now relieved. Felix, my super pale PP who has been with me going on 8 years, has been and currently is male; however, after a molt about two years ago, he was doing one of his usual hang-by-the-tips-of-the-pinchers moves on some ivy and, Lo! and behold!, there were gonopores where none had ever been before . Felix or Felicia ? After his next molt about 6 months later, no gonopores!! So, so glad that others have experienced the same thing.

[hprmom]

Boy, am I glad for this thread! ... So, so glad that others have experienced the same thing.

Glad I asked the question, then! Lately my two have been swapping shells so often, and my recluse has finally stopped hiding whenever I come around, that I'm having trouble telling them apart. So I'm looking at their undersides... at least until they molt!

[KellyCrabbieLove]

Great idea.

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk