The Biology of Nudibranch Larvae

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Abstract
A number of nudibranch species were collected in [image]resund, Denmark, and several were induced to lay fertile eggs. After hatching, some of the veligers were fed and some were not. Different species had differing lengths of larval life. Unfed veligers of Aeolidiella glauca died in 14-18 days, without any growth, while specimens that were fed algae lived 36 days and approximately doubled their volume. Feeding was observed microscopically. Similarly, fed larvae of Onchidorus fusca lived 32 days, with considerable growth, but starved specimens died much earlier. Metamorphosis could not be induced in either species. A review of the literature reveals a few species that hatch in the adult form, some that have a very brief larval life, and many that have a longer larval history, with feeding and growth. The advantages and disadvantages of the larval stage are discussed for different species. The problem of metamorphosis is considered. Before metamorphosis, some species have been shown to be attracted chemically to the animals that subsequently will be their adult prey, but at the time of their attraction the nudibranchs are so small that they can be and are consumed by the very animals (barnacles, anemones, etc.) that later would be their food organisms.

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