C. ligatum -- Hatched!

Spawned on 4.28.14, our C. ligatum larvae have begun to hatch! Developing through the trochophore stage within their egg capsules, the larvae emerge as veligers. The veligers of C. ligatum are non-feeding and instead subsist on stored yolk throughout their development. Hopefully, these veligers will soon settle and metamorphose into juveniles!

Veliger still encased in its egg capsule, on the brink of hatching. Imaged in dark field.

Hatched veligers. Imaged in dark field (top) and DIC (bottom).

All photos taken on 5/6/14.