Spawn and larval development of Natica marochiensis (Gastropoda: Naticidae) from Northeast Brazil, under laboratory conditions

Abstract

The reproductive aspects of the gastropode  Natica marochiensis were analyzed aiming at a better understanding  of its biology. As concerns reproductive aspects,  the characterization of spawning and their egg capsules, as well as the  monitoring of their larval development were carried out. The animals were collected on Melancias beach, Icapui county,  during spring tides and then they were brought to laboratory and kept in 5-liter aquaria with sterile water and sediment.  The egg masses disposed of by the individuals were sorted into plastic tubs containing sea water under constant aeration.  Pieces of about 1 cm were removed from the egg masses every two hours and observed under a microscope as to the larval  stage for further characterization. The larvae of  N. marochiensis developed quickly when considering the duration of  each stage. The cleavage lasted for 42-68 hours until the trocophore larva stage. The trocophore larva lasted for 6 hours  and the veliger larva lasted for 8 hours until the complete degeneration of the spawn.