Reproduction Preferences Additional Information | Two stages of development, 1) the metatrocophore stage, 2) the nectosome stage with reduced ciliation, well developed occipital tentacles, and swimming with the help of serpetine movements. For the main part, propulsion is by muscular movement, which is rare among polychaete larvae. A mucous thread, produced from the ventral ciliated pit, is used for feeding but it probably aslo plays a role in the buoyancy of the larva. A larva with a 50-setiger body is about 10mm long. Larval life is entirely pelagic and lasts for four weeks. Dispersal in this polychaete is aided by its association with marine snow, both for food and facilitation of dispersal. |