Polychaetes


There are few polychaetes that live in the plankton their whole lif. The beautiful Tomopteris predatory worms are an example, totally adapted to a life in the open water. Many bottom-dwelling polychaetes or bristle worms have larvae that live in the plankton for days to months. Polychaete larvae are very diverse in shape and size. During some nights of the year adult polychaetes that have developed into special reproductive “epitoke” stages swim into the water to spawn.

Tomopteris helgolandica, Central North Sea.
Tomopteris helgolandica, Central North Sea.
Polychaete epitoke, Central North Sea.
Myrianida epitoke with eggs, Westerschelde, NL
Capitellidae metatrochophore larva, Grevelingen, NL
Oweniidae Mitraria larva, Oosterschelde, NL
Magelona nectochaete larva, Grevelingen, NL
Magelona nectochaete larva, Grevelingen, NL
Magelona nectochaete larva, Grevelingen, NL
Magelona nectochaete larva caught a copepod, Grevelingen, NL
Lanice tube worm aulophore larva, Grevelingen, NL
Lanice aulophore larva, Grevelingen, NL.
Lanice tube worm aulophore larva, Wadden Sea, NL
Nereidae nectochaete larva, Grevelingen, NL
Polynoidae nectochaete larva, Wadden Sea, NL
Polynoidae nectochaete larva, Wadden Sea, NL
Polynoidae nectochaete larva, Wadden Sea, NL
Polynoidae nectochaete, Wadden Sea, NL
Orbiniidae larva, Oosterschelde, NL
A trochophore and a nectochaete larva, Grevelingen, NL.
Polydora nectochaete larva, Grevelingen, NL
Spionidae nectochaete larva, Oosterschelde, NL
Spionidae nectochaete larva, Oosterschelde, NL
Spionidae nectochaete larva, Oosterschelde, NL
Spionidae nectochaete larva, Oosterschelde, NL
Nectochaete larva, Westerschelde, NL
Spionida nectochaete larva, Grevelingen, NL
Spionidae nectochaete larva, Veerse Meer, NL
Spionidae nectochaete larva, Noordzeekanaal, NL
Scoloplos armiger polychaete eggs, Westerschelde, NL
Scoloplos armiger polychaete eggs, Westerschelde, NL
Spionid nectochaete larva, Cerbère, Mediterranean.
Spionid nectochaete larva, Cerbère, Mediterranean.
Nereidae nectochaete larva, Cerbère, Mediterranean.