Some aspects of the biology and the present state of the population of Protodrilus flavocapitatus (Polychaeta: Protodrilidae) in the coastal zone of Crimea (the Black Sea)

Abstract

Abstract The annual density fluctuations of the polychaete Protodrilus flavocapitatus (Uljanin, 1877) was investigated in the Crimean coastal zone. The maximum density of polychaete was recorded in December (472 ind.m˗2) and the minimum in July (13 ind.m˗2). In addition, an experiment regarding its asexual reproduction strategy was conducted. Females with eggs were recorded from April to June. It was found that this species can regenerate missed body fragments and the regeneration of the distal end began in the second day.

Keywords

• Key words: Polychaete worms, Protodrilidae, Protodrilus flavocapitatus, Black Sea

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