Oogenesis and spawning of Pomatoleious kraussii (Baired, 1865) (Polychaeta: Serpulidae) in Suez Bay

Oogenesis of the serpulid polychaete Pomatoleious kraussii an Indo-Pacific species introduced in Suez Bay was investigated. Worms were monthly collected from hard substrates in the intertidal zone at National Institute of Oceanography and Fisheries (N.I.O.F.) station in the bay. The study lasted from January to December 2004. Sex ratio was found one male for 2.13 female. The longest length of P. kraussii was 23 mm and the mean length was 14.71 mm. Oogenesis of the worm was divided into two previtellogenic, two vitellogenic and ripe stages. Spawning period lasted for about 11 months, from late February to early December, with a peak from October to December. The maximum diameter of ripe oocyte of P. kraussii is 63.75 μm.