Relationship between egg features and maternal body size in the simultaneous hermaphrodite Oxynoe olivacea (Mollusca, Opisthobranchia, Sacoglossa)

摘要: This paper provides information on spawn morphology and egg features of the stenophagous planktotrophic Mediterranean sacoglossan Oxynoe olivacea. Smith Fretwell’s hypothesis, predicting that individuals same population growing in environmental conditions varying size should eggs a constant size, was tested O. olivacea living Straits Messina. To determine whether (a) mass (b) total number per spawn, (c) were related to parent olivacea, 21 masses (seven deposited by seven different 20 mm animals, 25 animals 30 animals) randomly chosen examined. Results showed both width increased across body apart from significant variation short capsule diameter, there no consistent In conclusion species allocates amounts energy individual embryos thus supports prediction designed Fretwell.