Identification guide to the planktonic polychaete larvae around the island of Helgoland (German Bight)

Abstract

The purpose of this work is to provide the means of identifying the planktonic larvae of the polychaete species appearing in the plankton around the island of Helgoland (North Sea). During a three-year survey in this area, the larvae of 54 species out of 24 families belonging to the orders Orbiniida, Spionida, Capitellida, Phyllodocida, Oweniida, Terebellida, Sabellida and the former Archiannelida have been recorded. Illustrated keys to the families, genera and species are presented. To facilitate the identification, additional descriptions and information about the seasonal appearance of the species are given. © 1994 Biologische Anstalt Helgoland, Hamburg.