Hoplonemertean larvae  

NOTE: It is likely that the larvae of many hoplonemerteans (e.g., Emplectonema sp. 1, Paranemertes californica, Poseidonemertes collaris, Gurjanovella littoralis, Tetrastemma bilineatum) start out with just a single pair of eyes, and possibly, develop more pairs before settlement because adult individuals often have many more eyes.

Does the larva have two pairs of eyes or one?

Larva with two pairs of eyes

Larva with two pairs of eyes

Larva with one pair of eyes

Larva with one pair of eyes


General larval morphology = vermiform, oval or round

Larval ciliation = uniform

Larval eyes = present

Larval eyes = sub-epidermal

Apical tuft = conspicuous