Influences of larval settlement location and rate on later growth and mortality in a sessile marine invertebrate population (Spirorbis spirillum)

Abstract

Planktonic larvae of the tube-building polycheate Spirorbis spirillum (Linnaeus) settle abundantly along seagrass blades of Thalassiaa testudinum Banks ex Konig in bays of the northern Gulf of Mexico. Larvae tended to settle near the base of growing seagrass blades and subsequent survivorship and tube growth were highest for individuals nearest the base. Temporal changes in settlement can therefore have a significant influence on benthic population size over time. -from Author