THE LIFE CYCLE OF THE MURICID CONCHOLEPAS CONCHOLEPAS WITH CONSIDERATIONS ABOUT ITS FIRST BENTHONIC STAGES

Abstract

The protoconch of Concholepas concholepas is studied to elucídate morphological and somatometric characteristics of the newly metamorphosed juvenile. Comparativo Information is obtained in the muricids Nucella crassilabrum and Chorus giganteas, so that the incrcase in larval size of C. concholepas during its pelagic existence is established. The settlement of the larvae, as observed at one locality, as well as the findings of young individuáis in the intertidal are reponed. The environmenta! conditions at these places and the habits of juvenile C. concholepas are also described. The timing of some basic events in C. concholepas life eyele is discussed.