Abstract
To investigate the life-history adaptations of a brackish-water population ofNaineris laevigata Grube, a population from Acquatina lagoon near Lecce (Italy) was studied. Benthos and plankton samples were collected monthly over a period of ca. 2 yr (1989–1990). Observations of gametogenesis indicate that oogenesis is intraovaric, probably with autosynthetic yolk formation. Oogenesis takes about 7 mo, from November to April–May, for both proliferative and vitellogenetic phases. Reproduction is synchronized within the population. Spawning has also been obtained under laboratory conditions where larval development and post-larval growth were studied. Eggs measured 240 µm in diameter and were spawned within a gelatinous mass. The lecithotrophic pelagic stage was very short. Reproductive effort was high, probably because of high food availability and low level of competition. One of the most interesting findings was the probable presence of a resting stage in the life-cycle. The adaptive significance of enclosing the eggs in gelatiuous masses and of reducing the duration of the pelagic stage is discussed.
Similar content being viewed by others
Literature cited
Anderson, D. T. (1959). The embriology of the polychaeteScoloplos armiger. Q. Jl. microsc. Sci. 100: 89–166
Bookhout, C. G., Horn, E. G. (1949). The development ofAxiothella mucosa (Andrews). J. Morph. 84: 145–184
Bentley, M. G. (1989). An ultrastructural study of oogenesis in the polychaeteNephtys hombergi Savigni. Helgoländer Meeresunters. 43: 157–160
Blake, J. A. (1980). The larval development of polychaeta from the Northern California Coast. IVLeitoscoloplos pugettensis andScoloplos acmeceps (Family Orbiniidae). Ophelia 19(1): 1–18
Cazaux, C. (1972). Etude morphologique du developpement larvaire d'Annélides Polychètes (Bassin d'Arcachon). Archs Zool. exp. gén. 113: 140–202
Chaffee, C., Strathmann, R. R. (1984). Constraints on egg masses. I: Retarded development within thick egg masses. J. exp. mar. Biol. Ecol. 84: 73–84
Chapman, G. (1965). The egg cocoons ofScoloplos armiger O. F. Muller. Biol. Bull. mar. biol. Lab., Woods Hole 128: 189–197
Eckelbarger, K. J. (1983). Evolutionary radiation in polychaete ovaries and vitellogenic mechanisms: their possible role in life history patterns. Can. J. Zool. 61: 487–504
Eckelbarger, K. J. (1984). Comparative aspects of oogenesis in polychaetes. In: Fisher, A., Pfannensteil, H. D. (eds.) Polychaete reproduction. Fortschr. Zool. 29: 123–148
Eckelbarger, K. J. (1988). Oogenesis and female gamete. In: Westheide, W., Hermans, C. O. (eds.) The ultrastructure of Polychaeta. Microfauna mar. 4: 281–307
Eckelbarger, K. J., Grassle, J. P. (1982). Ultrastructure of the ovary and oogenesis in the polychaeteCapitella jonesi (Hartmann, 1959). J. Morph. 171: 305–320
Eisig, H. (1914). Zur Systematik, Anatomie und Morphologie der Ariciden nebst Beiträgen zur generellen Systematik. Mitt. zool. Stn. Neapel 21: 153–500
Fauchald, K. (1983). Life diagram patterns in benthic polychaetes. Proc. biol. Soc. Wash. 96(1): 160–177
Giangrande, A., Gambi, M. C. (1985). Long term trend in the distribution of soft-bottom polychaetes in the Sabaudia lagoon (Latina Italy). Rapp. P.-v. Réun. Commn int. Explor. scient. Mer. Méditerr. 29(4): 79–82
Gibbs, P. E. (1968). Observation on the population ofScoloplos armiger at Whitstable. J. mar. biol. Ass. U.K. 48: 225–254
Grassle, J. F., Grassle, J. P. (1974). Opportunistic life histories and genetic systems in marine benthic polychaetes. J. mar. Res. 32: 253–284
Gravier, C. (1923). La ponte et l'incubation chez les Annélides Polychètes. Annls Sci. nat. sér. Zool. 10(6): 153–247
Gravina, M. F., Ardizzone, G. D., Giangrande, A. (1988). Selecting factors in polychaete communities of central Mediterranean coastal lagoons. Int. Revue ges. Hydrobiol. 73(4): 465–476
Grice, G. D., Marcus, N. H. (1981). Dormant eggs of marine copepods. Oceanogr. mar. Biol. A. Rev. 19: 125–140
Hines, A. H. (1986). Larvae problems and perspectives in life histories of marine invertebrates. Bull. mar. Sci. 39(2): 506–525
Jennings, J. B., Donworth, P. J. (1986). Observations on the life cycle and nutrition ofDinophilus taeniatus Harmer 1889 (Annelida Polychaeta). Ophelia 25(3): 119–137
Krischnamoorthi, B. (1963). Volume regulation in eggs, larvae and adult of a brackish-water polychaeteDiopatra variabilis (southern). Proc. Indian Acad. Sci. 57: 275–289
Levin, L. (1984). Life history and dispersal patterns in a dense infaunal polychaete assemblage: community structure and response to disturbance. Ecology 65(4): 1185–1200
Okuda, S. (1946). Studies on the development of Annelida Polychaeta. J. Fac. Sci. Hokkaido Univ. 6(9): 115–219
Olive, P. J. W. (1978). Reproduction and annual gametogenic cycle inNephtys hombergii andN. caeca (Polychaeta: Nephtyidae). Mar. Biol. 46: 83–90
Olive, P. J. W. (1983). Annelida Polychaeta. In: Adiyodi, K. G., Adiyodi, R. G. (eds.) Reproductive biology of invertebrates, Vol. 1. Wiley, London, p. 357–421
Perron, F. E. (1981). The partitioning of reproductive energy between ova and protective capsules in marine gastropods of the genusConus. Am Nat. 118: 110–118
Scheltema, R. S. (1986). On dispersal of planktonic larvae of benthic invertebrates: an eclectic overview and summary of problems. Bull. mar. Sci. 39(2): 290–322
Sibly, R. M., Calow, R. (1989). A life-cycle theory of response to stress. Biol. J. Linn. Soc. 37(1–2): 101–116
Stearns, S. C. (1976). Life-history tactics: a review of the ideas. Q. Rev. Biol. 51: 3–47
Strathmann, R. R. (1980). Why does a larva swim so long? Paleobiology 6: 373–376
Strathmann, R. R. (1982). Selection for retention or export of larvae in estuaries. In: Kennedy, V. S. (ed.) Estuarine comparisons. Academic Press, New York, p. 521–536
Strathmann, R. R. (1986). What controls the type of larval development? Summary statement for the evolution session. Bull. mar. Sci. 39(2): 616–622
Strathmann, R. R., Strathmann, M. F. (1989). Evolutionary opportunities and constraints demonstrated by artificial gelatinous egg masses. In: Ryland, J., Tyler, P. A. (eds.) Reproduction, genetics and distribution of marine organisms. 23rd European Marine Biology Symposium, University of Wales, Swansea. International Symposium Series. Olsen & Olsen, Fredensborg, p. 201–207
Vance, D. K. (1973). On reproductive strategies in marine benthic invertebrates. Am. Nat. 107: 353–361
Wilson, H. W. (1986). Detachment of egg masses of a polychaete: environmental risks of benthic protective development. Ecology 67(3): 810–815
Wilson, H. W. (in press). Sexual reproductive modes in Polychaetes: classification and diversity. Proc. 3rd int. Polychaete Conf. Bull. mar. Sci.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
Communicated by M. Sarà, Genova
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Giangrande, A., Petraroli, A. Reproduction, larval development and post-larval growth ofNaineris laevigata (Polychaeta, Orbiniidae) in the Mediterranean Sea. Mar. Biol. 111, 129–137 (1991). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01986354
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01986354