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| Weinberg, Steven; Weinberg, Francisca. |
| The life cycle of the gorgonian Eunicella singularis has been studied with emphasis on larval behaviour, metamorphosis and annual growth. Planulae are found to have a mobile phase lasting from several hours to several days. Once settled, they metamorphose into a complete primary polyp in approximately four days. In the first year, budding will yield colonies of a height between 10 and 30 mm. Subsequently, average growth rates range from 14 to 33 mm year¯¹. Death may be due to several causes. Predators may partly denude the gorgonian branches, thus facilitating the settlement of epibionts, which in turn may invade the entire skeleton, slowly pushing back the living tissue of the gorgonian. Colonies may also be torn off their substratum by wave or current... |
| Tipo: Article / Letter to the editor |
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| Ano: 1979 |
URL: http://www.repository.naturalis.nl/record/504633 |
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