Development, metamorphosis, and natural history of the nudibranch Doridella obscura Verrill (Corambidae: Opisthobranchia)

摘要: Abstract The doridacean nudibranch Doridella obscura Verrill was raised through one complete generation in laboratory culture, and spawning behavior monitored for a year at monthly intervals Barnegat Bay, New Jersey. deposited egg masses throughout the larvae remained viable temperatures ranging from 1.5 to 28 °C. At 25 °C eggs hatch 4 days after oviposition, planktotrophic veliger swim feed 9 before they metamorphose. Settlement occurs specifically on bryozoan Electro crustulenta (Pallas). spirally coiled larval shell grows rapidly until dorsal mantle fold is retracted aperture 5–6 hatching. Although starved grow only slightly do not metamorphose, resume normal development introduction of suitable food. Newly metamorphosed juveniles consume algae debris surface large enough attack living zooids E. . life cycle short (26 °C), allowing nudibranchs take advantage short-lived Electra colonies unstable habitats bays estuaries.