Embryonic and intracapsular larval development of Plicopurpura pansa (Gould, 1853) (Prosobranchia, Muricidae) under laboratory conditions

Abstract

The embryonic development of the marine muricid Plicopurpura pansa (Gould, 1853) until hatching is described. Each female spawned about 150 egg capsules in a 10-week period. The egg showed spiral segmentation, followed by gastrulation through epiboly, the formation of a non-typical trochophore and veliger larva. The embryos fed on the egg yolk. Nurse eggs were not observed. In 13% of the egg capsules, different embryonic or larval stages of development were found in the same capsule. At 21–23ºC the intracapsular development was completed with the hatching of planktotrophic veliger larvae after a period of 5 to 8 weeks.

Keywords

• gastropods
• muricids
• Plicopurpura pansa
• embryogenesis
• intracapsular development