Embryos and larvae

Drifting in the currents, embryos and larvae perpetuate the species and are food for multitudes.

In this episode

  • Siphonophores
  • ClytiaClytia hemispherica
  • Velella larvaVelella velella
  • Anthozoan larva
  • PelagiaPelagia noctiluca
  • Phronima
  • Sea urchin larvaeParacentrotus lividus
  • Veliger larva
  • GymnosomePneumodermopsis paucidens

Narration

Larvae that hatched from their eggs a few weeks ago look like little monsters. The larvae from animals such as crabs, clams,  sea urchins or sea anemones go through metamorphosis, a radical transformation during which they acquire the characteristics and behavior of their species.

If they survive, that is. These embryos and larvae are easy prey for jellyfish, shrimps or fish.  They provide an abundant source of food, since many species lay millions of eggs in the open sea.

When fertilized, the eggs become embryos and then larvae. After a few weeks of drifting, only a few of the young survive to adulthood. That will be enough to perpetuate the species.

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Production
CNRS Images

Original Idea
Christian Sardet

Director
Noé Sardet

Scientific consultant
Claude Carré

Texts
Christian Sardet, Sasha Bollet, Véronique Kleiner

Images
Noé Sardet, Christian Sardet

Editing
Nicolas Mifsud

Sound mix
Thomas Huguet

Voice
François Briault

Director of production
Véronique Kleiner

Production assistant
Céline Ferlita

Translation
Theodore Rosengarten

Creative Commons Licence :
Attribution Non-Commercial
No Derivative

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