LARVA RELEASE IN RESPONSE TO LIGHT BY THE COMPOUND ASCIDIANSDISTAPLIA OCCIDENTALISANDMETANDROCARPA TAYLORI

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Abstract
1. Larva release under natural and artificially determined light regimes was studied in the colonial ascidians Distaplia occidentalis and Metandrocarpa taylori.2. Under natural illumination, both species show a clear tendency to release their larvae during the morning hours. Sunrise marks the beginning of larva release.3. Under experimental light conditions, larva release can be initiated at any time of the day or night by exposing suitably dark conditioned colonies to light. Transfer from light to darkness has no effect on larva release.4. The number of larvae released upon exposure to light is related to the duration of the dark period. A greater number of larvae are released after a long dark period than a short one.5. The minimum duration of exposure to light that will elicit larva release by dark adapted colonies is 15 minutes. Larva release continues after return to darkness, providing the duration of illumination is adequate.

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