Abstract
ABSTRACTThe New South Wales rock oyster (Saccostrea cucullata), the edible mussel (Mytilus edulis), the introduced Pacific oyster (Crassostrea gigas) and the scallop (Placopecten meridionalis) are cultivated in Australia. Their shells harbor four species of spionid polychaetes: Polydora websteri, Polydora haswelli, Polydora hoplura and Boccardia chilensis. P. websteri is found in all four molluscs and causes the most damage, especially to the New South Wales rock oyster, by forming irritating and often fatal mud blisters between the shell and mantle.All four mudworm species have internal fertilization and rear their young in egg sacks within the blister. In some species, a few eggs develop in each sack, the larvae feed on the remaining eggs and a few well‐developed larvae are released. In others, all eggs develop within each sack, there is no extra food for the larvae and many immature larvae are soon released. The survival values of these reproductive strategies are discussed.
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