Reproduction in the White Shrimp and close relatives is facilitated by the transfer of a spermatophore from the male to a modified region of the sternum of the female (the thelycum). The spermatophore consists of a roughly semicylindrical hardened sperm sac enclosing a columnar sperm mass (spermatozoa within a viscous fluid) surrounded by a thick "sheath" of gelatinous substance (Perez Farfante 1975 and references therein). Misamore and Browdy (1996) studied the mating behavior of the White Shrimp. They recognized 4 sequential stages. During the Chase stage, the male closely trails the female, mirroring the female's changes in direction. In the Probe stage, the male approaches the female ventrally and probes the thelycal region of the female with its antennules. The Embrace stage is characterized by the male inverting itself, juxtaposing ventral surfaces with the female, and wrapping its pereiopods around the carapace of the female. In the final stage, the Flex, the male collapses its uropods, hooks its abdomen slightly, and rotates perpendicular to the midline of the female forming a U-shape around the female.