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, NLCapitellidae metatrochophore larva, Grevelingen, NL Oweniidae Mitraria larva, Oosterschelde, NL Magelona nectochaete larva, Grevelingen, NLMagelona nectochaete larva, Grevelingen, NLMagelona nectochaete larva, Grevelingen, NLMagelona nectochaete larva caught a copepod, Grevelingen, NLLanice tube worm aulophore larva, Grevelingen, NLLanice aulophore larva, Grevelingen, NL.Lanice tube worm aulophore larva, Wadden Sea, NLNereidae 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, NLSpionidae 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, NLScoloplos armiger polychaete eggs, Westerschelde, NLSpionid nectochaete larva, Cerbère, Mediterranean. Spionid nectochaete larva, Cerbère, Mediterranean. Nereidae nectochaete larva, Cerbère, Mediterranean.
