| The life-history of <i>Polydora ciliata</i> has been studied in the Bassin de Chasse, Ostende. Three or even four generations succeed one another during the period from April to September. Their planktonic larvae can be found throughout the year, they have a life of 12 to 14 days. Larvae from 3 to 9 segments are growing 2 segments a day, larvae from 10 to 16 segments 1 segment a day. During the first period they feed on nannoplankton or detrital particles, during the second period they are carnivorous, but also detritiphagous and phytophagous. After 3 weeks of sedentary life egg-laying takes place. When one or two broods have been produced most animals die. The eggs hatch after 1 week. The worms are detritiphagous and scrape the food directly... |
