INDUCTION OF SWARMING OF NEREIS-SUCCINEA

Nereis succinea (Frey and Leuckart, 1847), collected in 1987 from the Weser estuary, FRG, was exposed to different temperatures in the laboratory. Metamorphosis to heteronereid stages, as well as swarming at a minimum temperature of 12°C, was induced by raising temperatures around the time of the new moon. Lunar periodicity was illustrated under natural temperature-programs, and at 16°C. An abrupt increase in temperature caused swarming to occur at different times of the lunar cycle. © 1990 Springer-Verlag.