Planktotrophig larval development in deep-water gastropods

Abstract

Examination of the larval shells of numerous bathyal and abyssal gastropods has proven that many larval shells are of a type which in shallow-water gastropods is known to indicate planktotrophic larval development. Veliger larvae taken in shallow water have been identified and are proven to belong to deep-water species. This way of larval dispersal for deep-water gastropods has to be important for their distributional pattern.