Reproductive biology ofEulalia viridis(Müller) (Polychaeta: Phyllodocidae) in the north eastern U.K.

Abstract

Eulalia viridisis the most common littoral phyllodocid at Cullercoats Bay, where it occupies crevices and small holes in the well-sutured sandstone and limestone rocks. It is particularly common in rocks having a heavy encrustation of barnacles. The reproductive biology of this species in particular, and of phyllodocids in general, is poorly known. Meyer (1938) has described the development of larvae ofEulalia viridisboth from artificial fertilizations and from egg cocoons said to belong toEulalia viridiscollected in January at Plymouth, U.K. The observations made during the present investigation differ in a number of important respects from those of Meyer and his conclusions cannot be considered appropriate to all populations ofE. viridis.