Biology
Alternative Reproductive Tactics in Male Horseshoe Crabs
Quick fact
In horseshoe crabs, smaller males often form a 'satellite' cluster around a mating pair, and their sperm can still fertilize eggs by competing with the attached male's sperm, giving them a chance at reproduction despite being excluded from the primary mating position.
Why this is interesting
During spring high tides, horseshoe crabs gather en masse to mate—but males don't all play the same game. Why do some males attach directly to females while others crowd around as 'satellites'?