We present a comparative analysis of mate searching in fiddler crabs, genus
Uca. Several ecological factors determine which sex will search for mates
and how complex male signaling will be. Female searching is most tightly co
rrelated with mating in male burrows. Female searching is associated with h
igh burrow density small body size, and large soil size. These factors expl
ain variation in a female's need for male-defended incubation sites. Female
searching also is correlated with short eyestalks. In species in which fem
ales search for mates, males use a more complex mate attraction signal than
in species in which males search.