Abstract

Branchiomma bairdi is a Caribbean fan worm introduced in several localities worldwide, including the Mediterranean Sea, where the species' range has rapidly expanded. Reproduction in B. bairdi was previously investigated in both extra-Mediterranean and Mediterranean areas, but no information is available on larval development and post-larval growth. In the present article, we examined these features for a population from the Mar Grande of Taranto (Ionian Sea). The species is hermaphrodite, and fertilization occurs in situ. Mucus seems to play an important role in fertilization, and also in preserving eggs before fertilization. The trochophore stage develops within the mucus and after hatching, larvae swim for about 3 d before settlement. The trochophore showed a distinct prototroch and two red dorsolateral larval eyes. The pelagic stage takes only 96 h even though prototroch is maintained after settlement, disappearing at 5 d, when larvae showed three chaetigers and branchial crown consisted of four radioles. Some interesting observations concerning changes in the morphology of chaetae and in the number of uncini during growth are also reported, together with discussion of the development of stylodes, an important diagnostic feature in Branchiomma species identification.

Autore Pugliese

• Giangrande Adriana

Tutti gli autori

• Pasqua M. , Lezzi M. , Licciano M. , Giangrande A.

Titolo volume/Rivista

INVERTEBRATE BIOLOGY

Anno di pubblicazione

2017

ISSN

1077-8306

ISBN

Non Disponibile

Numero di citazioni Wos

Nessuna citazione

Ultimo Aggiornamento Citazioni

Non Disponibile

Numero di citazioni Scopus

Non Disponibile

0

Ultimo Aggiornamento Citazioni

22/04/2018

Settori ERC

Non Disponibile

Codici ASJC

Non Disponibile