Abstract
Males and females of the spiny lobster genus Panulirus have evolved a range of modifications to the penile process and the thoracic sternum respectively. The pattern of evolution of the reproductive structures confirms the previously presented patterns of speciation in Panulirus, based on genetics and on the morphology of adults, larvae, and pueruli. These structures may have themselves helped to initiate speciation in Panulirus and may have evolved as a consequence of the longer lasting spermatophoric mass and the delayed use of sperm by the females of some species. During courting, body caresses enable males to assess the size of females. The evolution of different copulatory structures heightens the probability of same‐species mating and for the male to confirm a female's size and reproductive status, and ejaculate and correctly position an external spermatophore of the required size.
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