Embryonic and larval development in the semelparous Nereid polychaete Hediste diversicolor (OF Müller, 1776) in Norway: Challenges and perspectives

Knowledge of broodstock manipulation, gametogenesis, artificial fertilization and larval nutrition is a prerequisite to reach a large-scale production of the polychaete Hediste diversicolor. In this study, the characteristics of oogenesis and spermatogenesis and embryonic and larval development were observed. Moreover, the effect of temperature on embryonic development and effect of diets and sediment on earlier juvenile development were tested. Mature oocytes were characterized by a spherical shape with a diameter of about 200 μm. They showed radial symmetry with a large centric nucleus surrounded by four distinctive layers. Embryo cleavage started between 4 and 10 hr after fertilization, and developed to the swimming trochophore stage after 5–6 days after fertilization at 11°C. The rate of embryonic development increased with a temperature increase from 6.1 to 21.2°C. The trochophore larvae increased in length from day 9 and commenced differentiation into 3-setiger stage larvae at day 12. The length growth of larvae until 7-setiger stage was 0.43 mm/day when fed with fish feed, while those fed shellfish diet and smolt sludge both grew around 0.21–0.23 mm/day. The results suggest that fish feed is a superior diet compared to shellfish diets and smolt sludge for the early larval stage of H. diversicolor.