Size of maturity in male golden king crab, Lithodes aequispinus (Anomura :Lithodidae)

Typically greater than or equal to 90% of the eggs in clutches fertilized b y hardshell Prince William Sound Lithodes aequispinus males greater than or equal to 107 mm carapace length initiated division. Golden king crab males with only one chela and those with post-molt carapaces greater than or equ al to 11 days old were effective parents. Some test males had exclusive acc ess to three ripe females. Their first and second mates all produced viable clutches with 81-100% of eggs exhibiting development. Not all males induce d a third female to ovulate. The percentage of eggs initiating division in the clutches of their third potential female mates ranged from 56 to 100%.