A vitellogenesis promoting influence of the prostomium in the polychaete Eulalia viridis (müller) (phyllodocidae)

Abstract

Specimens of Eulalia viridis have been maintained in the laboratory in a decerebrate and an intact condition during the period of rapid vitellogenesis that precedes the summer spawning. The results indicate that vitellogenesis cannot take place in the absence of the prostomium. The effect is likely to be hormonal. Sudden withdrawal of the proposed hormone results in oocyte degeneration. The results indicate that E. viridis belongs to the group of polytelic polychaetes with gonadotrophic hormones.