Larvae
Larvae first appear approximately one month after the gametes were originally observed in adult specimens. These same larvae appear to spend no more than 30 days in the plankton (R. Seitz & L. Schaffner, 1995). The first trochophore-metatrochophore stage consists of a planktonic larva within a tube, followed by a transitional benthic stage which is short lived. The aulophore then follows, a second planktonic stage, which settles close to 60 days being relatively similar in morphology to the late benthic stage of some of its closer terrebelids relatives (R. Seitz & L. Schaffner, 1995)
Growth of larval, juvenile and to a lesser extent adults is influenced primarily by age, food availability and also by temperature. Overwintering populations tend to grow slowly whilst the water temperatures are low. The highest growth rates correlate with the summer months when temperatures for each region reach their highest points.
|