Larval development and metamorphic behaviour of the subtropical spionid polychaete Pseudopolydora vexillosa

Although newly described, Pseudopolydora vexillosa is one of the most conspicuous surface-feeding spioniform polychaetes in subtropical waters. This is the first report on larval growth and metamorphosis of P. vexillosa. Newly hatched (3-chaetigers stage) larvae of P. vexillosa reached metamorphic competence at 12–17 chaetigers stage when fed with Chaetoceros gracilis or Dunaliella tertiolecta at a concentration of ∼ 105 cells ml− 1 for 6 to 8 days at 32 psu and 27 °C. Larvae on these two diets achieved comparable levels, of approximately 70% metamorphosis. On the other hand, larvae fed with Isochrysis galbana or starved in 0.22 μm filtered seawater never reached competence during the 10 days of study. The effect of organic matter on larval substrate selection was examined using glass beads, manipulated sediments and natural sediments. A significantly higher percentage of larvae metamorphosed on glass beads that had been submerged in unfiltered natural seawater for 5 days as compared to the control; when manipulating the organic content of sediment as a substratum, significantly more larvae metamorphosed in 100% natural sediment, compared with 0%, 25%, 50%, and 75% natural sediment mixed with different portions of ashed sediment. Surprisingly, with natural undisturbed surface sediment sampled along a transect perpendicular to a sewage discharge site, these laboratory bioassays demonstrate that the larvae of P. vexillosa are capable of responding to sedimentary cues in complex ways to find a habitat suitable for metamorphosis and survival.