Molluscs comprise the second largest phylum of animals (after arthropods), occurring in
virtually all habitats. Some are commercially important, a few are pests and some carry …

Background Two theories for the origin of animal life cycles with planktotrophic larvae are
now discussed seriously: The terminal addition theory proposes a holopelagic …

Larval dispersal significantly contributes to the geographic distribution, population dynamics,
and evolutionary processes of animals endemic to deep‐sea hydrothermal vents. Little is …

The shell of marine gastropods conserves and reflects early ontogeny, including embryonic
and larval stages, to a high degree when compared with other marine invertebrates …

Abstract The Caribbean Sea is characterized by an incredible biodiversity, including several
endemic mollusk species, most of which have larval dispersal as their main mechanism of …

Body size during larval development is one of the most important attributes of aquatic
animals. The optimal size for changing form or habitat may vary according to ecological traits …

Abstract Background The shipworm Lyrodus pedicellatus is a wood-boring bivalve with an
unusual vermiform body. Although its larvae are brooded, they retain the general …

Abstract Within Gastropoda, limpets (Patellogastropoda) are considered the most basal
branching taxon and its representatives are thus crucial for research into evolutionary …

Tritia reticulata (L.) is a neogastropod ubiquitous in the coastal communities of the NE
Atlantic. Its life cycle relies on the swimming performance of planktonic early life stages …

Comparative data on the developing gastropod foregut suggest that this multicomponent
feeding complex consists of two developmental modules. Modularity is revealed by delayed …