Myrianida with eggs

Franz Neidl · Post by **Franz Neidl** » Sun Aug 04, 2013 8:13 am

This is the bristleworm Myrianida (syn. Autolytus) prolifer (?) which is carrying its eggs.

Brightfield, objective 4x, nocturnal sea plankton

Franz

Jacek · Post by **Jacek** » Sun Aug 04, 2013 8:52 am

Super

leonardturner · Post by **leonardturner** » Mon Aug 05, 2013 12:25 pm

I recently photographed what appears to be the same type of creature on the west coast of Florida; it too was gravid, but there appeared to be maturing young in 3 separate sacs along the abdomen. An unusual variation, or a different species do you think?

Franz Neidl · Post by **Franz Neidl** » Tue Aug 06, 2013 3:00 am

Hello Leonard,
thank you for your answer. I have never seen the eggs in 3 different sacs. Could you publish the picture? It would be interesting to see it.

Franz

leonardturner · Post by **leonardturner** » Fri Aug 09, 2013 6:46 am

Hello, Franz,

Thanks for your interest. Sorry, I've been unable to post because of a computer failure and have no access to my images. Here is a link to a short video that does show the 3 apparently discrete sacs. https://vimeo.com/71929987
This was done "in the field" (actually on vacation) with a very active specimen from the Gulf of Mexico.

What do you think?

Leonard

Franz Neidl · Post by **Franz Neidl** » Sat Aug 10, 2013 5:12 am

Hello Leonard,

your video is very interesting, but I dont think that this is the same species. The colour of the eggs of "my" polichaeta are always very dark, almost black ( even with a strong illumination).

Franz

leonardturner · Post by **leonardturner** » Sat Aug 10, 2013 9:17 am

Thanks, Franz!

Leonard