Intracapsular development and dispersal polymorphism in the predatory gastropod Ocenebra erinaceus (Linnaeus 1758)

摘要: Intraspecific polymorphism during development, such as poecilogony or dispersal polymorphism, has rarely been observed in the marine environment. The ecological advantages of this bet-hedging strategy, whereby offspring from one species exhibit multiple developmental modes, include potential for rapid colonization new habitats while simultaneously achieving a degree gene flow between populations. muricid gastropod, Ocenebra erinaceus, is common, shallow-water predator found across England and France. Historically, O. erinaceus caused significant damage to shellfisheries, but more recently it impacted by TBT-induced imposex. Despite previous attention given species, little known about its encapsulated development. Studying egg capsules Solent, UK, we describe intracapsular development at 15 °C, situ temperature time oviposition. Within each capsule, all embryos developed; no nurse eggs were present. Development was categorized into eight ontogenetic stages, although not individuals displayed every stage; hatched either swimming late-pediveliger larvae crawling juveniles after 59–69 days, indicating occur species. Swimming completed metamorphosis within 72 h hatching. As continues recover TBT pollution, may facilitate expansion both population size range. If occurs, to, once again, become serious problem shellfisheries around Europe.