Development, Temperature Tolerance, and Settlement Preference of Embryos and Larvae of the Articulate Brachiopod Laqueus californianus . Abstract No. 245-256, Biol. 196, June 1999. The development of embryos and larvae of L. californianus has been examined by scanning electron microscopy.
Cleavage is holoblastic and radial.
A trilobed articulate brachiopod larva with attachment disk is attained in 7 days. Competent larvae swim downwards. Effects of temperature on larval survival and development rate have also been examined. At 20 degrees C, development appears normal but results in spontaneous abnormal settlement of larvae 5-6 days old. Settlement and metamorphosis can occur within 24 h upon exposure of larvae to substrate.