TABLE  1.  EGG CHARACTERISTICS AND BREEDING SEASON FOR WOODS HOLE SPECIES

Data from the primary source (Costello and Henley, 1971) appear in black. Data obtained from other sources will appear in red, with literature citations provided in the Additional Sources section. Current genus and species names are given, followed, in some cases, by older names for the same species in [brackets]. Note that ? indicates that data are incomplete or lacking, and researchers are invited to contribute additions and corrections. Please see Information For Contributors.

Genus name beginning with:
A  B  C  D  E  F  G  H  I  J  K  L  M  N  O  P  Q  R  S  T  U  V  W  X  Y  Z
To phylogenetic listing --> KEY 
ABBREVIATIONS:
 
"SIZE" = approximate diameter or long axis of egg in micrometers
 
"STAGE" = stage of nucleus at time of fertilization; GV = germinal vesicle; GVBD = germinal vesicle breakdown; 0 PB = polar bodies not yet extruded; 1 PB = first polar body extruded; 2 PB = both polar bodies extruded; ? = data incomplete or lacking; M-I = Metaphase I (metaphase of first maturation division)
 
"RATE" = a rough guide to rate of development; R = rapid, M = moderate, S = slow; ? = data incomplete or lacking
Examples:
R, Amphitrite, swimming forms 4-5 hours post-fertilization;
M, Arbacia, ~12 hours to gastrula at 23oC;
S, Arenicola, ~24 hours to gastrula at 24oC
 
"COAT" = egg surface material; Ad = adhesive disc on chorion surface; C = chorion; Ca = case; Cp = capsule; J = jelly; S = Shell; X = none
 
"APPEAR." = appearance; optical characteristics: Tr = transparent (optically clear), Tl = translucent, Op = opaque, ~Op = nearly opaque, Yo = yolky, ~Yo = some yolk present; colors: Bl = bluish, Br = brown, Gn = green, Go = golden, Gr = grayish, Or = orange, Pk = pinkish, Rd = red, Wh = white, Ye = yellowish; ? = data lacking
 
"CLEAV." = features of early cleavage: EXT = extent (Ho = holoblastic or total; Me = meroblastic or partial); PAT = geometric pattern (Bi = bilateral, Di = discoidal [blastodisc], Ra = radial, Sp = spiral, Su = superficial); REL = relative size of blastomeres (Eq = equal, ~Eq = almost equal, Un = unequal); OTH = other (Fo = interblastomeric follicle cells, Po = polar lobes, Ps = "pseudocleavage", Sy = syncytial); ? = data incomplete or lacking
 
"SEAS." = normal breeding season for Woods Hole vicinity; e.g. June = 6, July = 7, June 15 = 6/15, ? = data lacking
 
"LINKS" = additional online sources:

 

Genus beginning with "A" (click name for phylogenetic listing)

 
GENUS, SPECIES  COMMON NAME  SIZE (µm) STAGE RATE COAT APPEAR. CLEAV.
 SEAS. LINKS
Amphitrite ornata Ornate terebellid worm 100 M- I R X Op PAT: Sp; REL: Un 6 - 8 TXT MBL
Aplidium constellatum [Amaroucium constellatum] Northern sea pork 250 M- I S C Op, Yo REL: Un 6 - 9 TXT MBL
Arbacia punctulata Purple sea urchin 73 2 PB M J Rd REL: Eq (to 8 cells) 6- 8 TXT MBL
Arenicola cristata Lug worm 120 M- I S J ~Op; Pk PAT: Sp; REL: Un 6 - 7 TXT MBL
Argopecten irradians [Pecten irradians] Common scallop 63 GVBD? M J Op, Yo, ~Or PAT: Sp; REL: Un 6/15-8/15 TXT MBL
Asterias forbesi,
Asterias vulgaris		 Starfish (sea star) 110 GVBD M J Tl, Ye REL: ~Eq (to 8 cells) 5 - 7 TXT MBL
Aurelia aurita Moon jelly 120 ? S X Tr, Pk EXT: Ho 7 - 9 TXT MBL
Axiognathus squamatus [Amphipholis squamata] Small brittle star 100 GV ? X Op, Yo; Or-Rd EXT: Ho 7 - 9 TXT
-

Genus beginning with "B" (click name for phylogenetic listing)

 
GENUS, SPECIES  COMMON NAME  SIZE (µm) STAGE  RATE COAT APPEAR. CLEAV. SEAS. LINKS
Balanus eburneus Barnacle ? 1 PB R ? ? "like Lepas" 8-11/15 TXT MBL
Barentsia laxa ? (entoproct) ? ? ? X ? ? 7- 9? TXT
-
Botryllus schlosseri Golden star tunicate 200- 400 M- I R C Yo "like Styela" 6- 9 TXT MBL
Bougainvillia superciliaris,
B. carolinensis		 ? (hydroid) ? ? S X ? ? 6- 8 TXT MBL
Bugula flabellata,
B. turrita		 ? (bryozoan) ? ? M X ? REL: Eq 6- 11 TXT MBL
Busycon carica,
B. canaliculatum		 Knobbed whelk; Channeled whelk 1000 ? S Cp Yo carica: PAT: Sp; REL: ,~Eq 8,9 TXT MBL

Genus beginning with "C" (click name for phylogenetic listing)

 
GENUS, SPECIES  COMMON NAME  SIZE (µm) STAGE  RATE COAT APPEAR. CLEAV. SEAS. LINKS
Campanularia flexuosa ? (hydroid) 160 ? ? X ? ? 6,7 TXT MBL
Cerebratulus lacteus Milky ribbon worm 120 GVBD S C Op, Yo, Br EXT: Ho; PAT: Sp; REL: Eq 7 TXT MBL
Chaetopleura apiculata Chiton 180 M- I M C Op, Yo EXT: Ho; PAT: Sp; REL: Eq 6- 9 TXT MBL
Chaetopterus variopedatus [Chaetopterus pergamentaceus] Parchment worm 100 M- I R X Yo PAT: Sp; REL: Un; OTH: Po 6,7 TXT MBL
MER
Ciona intestinalis Sea squirt, Sea vase 160 M- I M C Yo, Gn or Rd ? 1- 12 TXT MBL
Cirratulus cirratus [Cirratulis grandis] ? (marine worm) 104 M- I R X Op, Ye-Gn PAT: Sp 7,8? TXT MBL
Clava multicornis [Clava leptostyla] ? (hydroid) 131 ? M X Bl ? 6,7 TXT MBL
Clymenella torquata Bamboo worm 150 M- I ? X Op, Yo, Ye PAT: Sp; REL: Eq 5 TXT MBL
Crassostrea virginica Oyster 45- 54 GV M X Op PAT: Sp; REL: Un 6/15-8/15 TXT MBL
Crepidula fornicata,
C. plana		 Slipper shells 136-182 M- I S Cp ~Yo PAT: Sp 6/15- 8/15 TXT MBL
Crisia eburnea ? (bryozoan) 18 ? ? X ? OTH: Fo ? TXT MBL
Cumingia tellinoides ? (bivalve) 62 M- I R J Tr, Pk PAT: Sp 6/15- 9/15 TXT KEY
Cyanea capillata Lion's mane jelly ? 2 PB? ? X ? EXT: Ho; REL: ~Eq 3- 5 TXT KEY
MBL
Cyprinodon variegatus Sheepshead minnow 1400 ? M C Ye ? 6-7/15 TXT

Genus beginning with "D" (click name for phylogenetic listing)

 
GENUS, SPECIES  COMMON NAME  SIZE (µm) STAGE  RATE COAT APPEAR. CLEAV. SEAS. LINKS
Diopatra cuprea Ornate worm 235 GVBD R J Op, Yo, Gn PAT: Sp; REL: Un ? TXT MBL

Genus beginning with "E" (click name for phylogenetic listing)

 
GENUS, SPECIES  COMMON NAME  SIZE (µm) STAGE  RATE COAT APPEAR. CLEAV. SEAS. LINKS
Echinarachnius parma Sand dollar 135 2 PB M J Yo, Ye REL: Eq 4/1- 7/31 TXT MBL
Ectopleura crocea [Tubularia crocea] ? (Tubularian hydroid) 400 GVBD? M? X ? ? 6,7 TXT MBL
Electra pilosa Hairy bryozoan 79 ? M X Gr REL: Eq ? TXT MBL
Emerita talpoida Mole crab or sand crab 380 ? ? ? Or-Rd EXT: Ho 7,8? TXT MBL
Ensis directus Razor clam 65 GV R X Tl, Ye-Br PAT: Sp; REL: Un 7? TXT MBL
Eudendrium ramosum Stick hydroid 230 ? M X Op, Yo, Or OTH: Sy 7,8 TXT MBL
Eutima mira Medusa jelly ? ? R X Tr EXT: Ho ? TXT

Genus beginning with "F" (click name for phylogenetic listing)

 
GENUS, SPECIES  COMMON NAME  SIZE (µm) STAGE  RATE COAT APPEAR. CLEAV. SEAS. LINKS
Fundulus heteroclitus,
F. majalis		 Killifish, mummichog, chub 1800 - 2000 0 PB R C Tr, Ye PAT: Di 6, 7 TXT CIT
MBL

Genus beginning with "G" (click name for phylogenetic listing)

 
GENUS, SPECIES  COMMON NAME  SIZE (µm) STAGE RATE COAT APPEAR. CLEAV. SEAS. LINKS
Gonionemus murbachii ? (hydroid) 70 2 PB M J Ye EXT: Ho; REL: Eq 7/1- 9/30 TXT
Gonothyrea loveni ? (hydroid) 102 GVBD? M X ? ? 7,8 TXT

Genus beginning with "H" (click name for phylogenetic listing)

 
GENUS, SPECIES  COMMON NAME SIZE (µm) STAGE  RATE COAT APPEAR. CLEAV. SEAS. LINKS
Haminoea solitaria ? (gastropod) 80 M- I R Cp Op EXT: Ho; PAT: Sp 6- 9 TXT MBL
Harmothoe imbricata ? (polychaete) 50- 78 ? R X? Pk, TI(??) PAT: Sp; REL: Eq 4/15-5/31 TXT
Henricia sanguinolenta Blood star 1000 ? S ? Op, Yo, ~Or(?) REL: Un 4? TXT MBL
Hoploplana inquilina ? (polyclad worm) 100 GV S Cp Yo PAT: Sp; REL: Un 6-9 TXT
Hydractinia echinata "Snail fur" hydroid 160- 170 "sec PB" M J Yo, Gn (or Gr, Or, Pk) EXT: Ho; REL: Eq 6- 8 TXT MBL
Hydroides dianthus [Hydroides hexagonus] Hard tube worm 67- 72 GV M X Op, Yo, Pk-Or PAT: Sp 6-11 TXT MBL

Genus beginning with "I" (click name for phylogenetic listing)

 
GENUS, SPECIES  COMMON NAME  SIZE (µm) STAGE  RATE COAT APPEAR. CLEAV. SEAS. LINKS
Ilyanassa obsoleta Snail 166 GVBD? M Cp Op PAT: Sp; OTH: Po 4/24-7/15 TXT MBL

Genus beginning with "J": No entries.

 

Genus beginning with "K": No entries.

 

Genus beginning with "L" (click name for phylogenetic listing)

 
GENUS, SPECIES  COMMON NAME  SIZE (µm) STAGE  RATE COAT APPEAR. CLEAV. SEAS. LINKS
Lacuna vincta Chink shell 103-180 ? S Cp Go, Ye-Wh, or Gn EXT: Ho; PAT: Sp; REL: Eq ? TXT MBL
Lepas anatifera Goose barnacle 185 1 PB R X ? EXT: Ho; REL: Un ? TXT
Lepidonotus squamatus Scale worm 65 ? S X Op, ~Yo PAT: Sp; REL: Eq 5 TXT MBL
Leptosynapta inhaerens,
L. roseola		 ? Sea cucumbers 190- 209 ? M? J (Inhaerens) Tr EXT: Ho; REL: Eq 6.7 TXT MBL
Libinia emarginata Spider crab 1000 ? S X Yo OTH: Sy 5-7? TXT MBL
Limulus polyphemus Horseshoe crab 1700 ? S Ad, C Yo, Bl-Gr (or Pk-Gr) PAT: Su; OTH: Ps 5-6 CIT MBL
Littorina obtusata, L. littoralis Periwinkle 205- 250 GVBD? S J ? EXT: Ho; PAT: Sp; REL: Eq ? TXT MBL
Loligo pealii Long finned squid 1500 GVBD? S J Yo EXT: Me 5-7/15 TXT MBL

Genus beginning with "M" (click name for phylogenetic listing)

 
GENUS, SPECIES  COMMON NAME  SIZE (µm) STAGE  RATE COAT APPEAR. CLEAV. SEAS. LINKS
Menidia menidia,
M. beryllina		 Atlantic silversides 750,
1200		 2 PB? S C Tr, Ye ? 6/15- 7/15 TXT MBL
Mercenaria mercenaria [Venus mercenaria] Hard-shell clam (quahog) 70- 73 M- I M X Op, Yo, Wh PAT: Sp ; REL: Un; OTH: Po 6/15- 8/15 TXT MBL
Metridium dianthus Sea anemone 100- 160 2 PB M? X Op, Pk EXT: Ho 6.7 TXT MBL
Mnemiopsis leidyi Leidy's comb jelly ? ? R X Tr, ~Yo EXT: Ho; REL: Un 5-7 TXT MBL
Molgula citrina ? (tunicate) 210 M- I S C Op, Yo, Ye-Or REL: Eq 6/15- 9/15 TXT MBL
Molgula manhattensis ? (tunicate) 100-115 M- I R C Op, Yo REL: Eq 1- 12 TXT MBL
Mya arenaria Soft shelled clam 58-80 GVBD? M J Yo, Gr PAT: Sp; REL: Un; 6-8? TXT MBL
Mycale fibrexilis Sponge "small" ? ? X ? ? 9,10? TXT MBL
Mytilus edulis Edible mussel 70 M- I M X Br-Pk, or Ye PAT: Sp; REL: Un 6- 9/15 TXT MBL

Genus beginning with "N" (click name for phylogenetic listing)

 
GENUS, SPECIES  COMMON NAME  SIZE (µm) STAGE  RATE COAT APPEAR. CLEAV. SEAS. LINKS
Neanthes succinea [Nereis limbata] ? (polychaete) 140 GV M J ~Yo REL: Un 6-9 TXT MBL
Nucella lapillus [Thais lapillus] Dogwinkle (gastropod) 180 ? S Cp ? EXT: Ho; PAT: Sp; REL: Un; OTH: Po ? TXT MBL
Nucula proxima [Nucula proxima truncula] Nut shell (bivalve) 90 2 PB? R X Yo EXT: Ho; PAT: Sp ? TXT MBL

Genus beginning with "O" (click name for phylogenetic listing)

 
GENUS, SPECIES  COMMON NAME SIZE (µm) STAGE RATE COAT APPEAR. CLEAV. SEAS. LINKS
Obelia commissuralis,
O. geniculata		 ? (hydroid) 130 GVBD? M X ? EXT: Ho 6-8 TXT MBL
Ophioderma brevispina Short-spined brittle star 300 2 PB? R X Op, Yo, Ye to Gn EXT: Ho; REL: Eq 7- 8/15 TXT MBL
Ophiopholis aculeata Daisy brittle star 105 GVBD S X Gn ? ? TXT MBL
Opsanus tau Toadfish 5000 ? S Ad Or-Br ? 6,7 TXT MBL

Genus beginning with "P" (click name for phylogenetic listing)

 
GENUS, SPECIES  COMMON NAME  SIZE (µm) STAGE  RATE COAT APPEAR. CLEAV. SEAS. LINKS
Pectinaria gouldi [Cistenides gouldi] Trumpet worm, Cone worm 55 GVBD M X Tr, Ye-Gn EXT: Ho; PAT: Sp; REL: Un ? TXT MBL
MER
Pedicellina cernua ? (entoprocta) 60 1 PB? ? S ? PAT: Sp; REL: Eq ? TXT
Pennaria tiarella Feather hydroid 237- 500 2 PB R X Op, Pk or Wh-Or ? 7/15- 9 TXT MBL
Perophora viridis Creeping ascidian 240 M- I S C Ye REL: ~Eq;
"similar to Styela"		 8/1- 15? TXT MBL
Phascolopsis gouldii [Phascolosoma gouldi] ? (Sipunculan worm) 150- 180 M- I R X Re-Br PAT: Sp; REL: Un 6/15- 9 TXT MBL
Pitar morrhuanus [Callocardia convexa] ? (clam)  49- 60 GVBD S? J Yo PAT: Sp; REL: Un 7? TXT
Platynereis dumerilii [Platynereis megalops] ? (polychaete) 180- 200 GV R J Tr "similar to
Nereis limbata"		 7-8/21 TXT
Podarke obscura Swift-footed worm 63 M- I R X ? PAT: Sp; REL: Eq 7,8 TXT MBL
Podocoryne carnea ? (hydroid) ? Pre-GVBD ? X ? EXT: Ho 6,7 TXT
Polychoerus caudatus ? (flatworm) 220? GV S Cp Re-Ye EXT: Ho; PAT: Sp; REL: Un 6-8 TXT

Genus beginning with "Q" (click name for phylogenetic listing): No entries.

 

Genus beginning with "R" (click name for phylogenetic listing)

 
GENUS, SPECIES  COMMON NAME  SIZE (µm) STAGE  RATE COAT APPEAR. CLEAV. SEAS. LINKS
Raja erinacea
Raja eglanteria		 Little skate,
Clearnose skate		 20,000 ,
25,000		 M-II ? Ca Yo EXT: Me 6-8;
?		 CIT
MBL CAT

 

Genus beginning with "S" (click name for phylogenetic listing)

 
GENUS, SPECIES  COMMON NAME  SIZE (µm) STAGE  RATE COAT APPEAR. CLEAV. SEAS. LINKS
Sabellaria vulgaris Sand builder worm 60 GVBD M J Op, Yo PAT: Sp; OTH: Po 6-8 TXT MBL
Saccoglossus kowalewskii (Wormlike enteropneust) 420 M- I M X Op, Wh-Gr to Bl-Gr ? ? TXT MBL
Scomber variegatus Mackerel 1200 ? R C? Tr, Pk ? 5/15-7/1 TXT MBL
Spisula solidissima [Mactra solidissima] Surf clam 53-56 GVBD R X ~Yo PAT: Sp; REL: Un 6-8 TXT MBL
Stenotomus chrysops Scup 800 ? R C? Tr ? 6 TXT
MBL CAT
Sthenelais boa [Sthenelais leidyi] ? (polychaete) 110 GVBD? M X ? PAT: Sp; REL: ~Eq ? TXT
Strongylocentrotus drobachiensis
(alt: droebachiensis) [more]		 Green sea urchin 160 2PB S (oC) J Tl, Yo, Ye-Or to Ye to Co EXT: Ho 2/15-4/15 CIT MBL
Strongylura marinus Billfish 3000 ? S C? Tr ? 6 TXT
Styela canopus [Styela partita] Rough sea squirt 150 M- I R C? Ye and Gr REL:~Eq 6- 9 TXT MBL
Syngnathus fuscus Pipefish 800 ? ? C? Op, Or ? 5/15-6/30 TXT MBL

Genus beginning with "T" (click name for phylogenetic listing)

 
GENUS, SPECIES  COMMON NAME  SIZE (µm) STAGE  RATE COAT APPEAR. CLEAV. SEAS. LINKS
Tautogolabrus adspersus Cunner 900 GVBD? R C Tr ? 6 TXT MBL
Teredo navalis Shipworm 55-60 ? S X Wh PAT: Sp; REL: Un 5-10/15 TXT
Thyone briareus Sea cucumber 200-300 M- I M J Op, Ye-Br PAT:~Ra ; REL: Un 6 TXT MBL
Turritopsis nutricula ? (hydroid) 116 2 PB R X Yo, Ye EXT: Ho; REL: Eq ? TXT

Genus beginning with "U" (click name for phylogenetic listing)

 
GENUS, SPECIES  COMMON NAME  SIZE (µm) STAGE  RATE COAT APPEAR. CLEAV. SEAS. LINKS
Urosalpinx cinerea Oyster drill (gastropod) 240 ? S? Cp Op, Wh PAT: Sp; REL: Un; OTH: Po 5-8 TXT MBL

Genus beginning with "V": No entries.

 

Genus beginning with "W": No entries.

 

Genus beginning with "X": No entries.

 

Genus beginning with "Y" (click name for phylogenetic listing)

 
GENUS, SPECIES  COMMON NAME  SIZE (µm) STAGE  RATE COAT APPEAR. CLEAV. SEAS. LINKS
Yoldia limatula Spoon clam 150 2 PB R X Op, Yo, Br EXT: Ho; PAT: Sp ; REL: Un ? TXT MBL

Genus beginning with "Z": No entries.

 

Citation for entries, unless otherwise noted:

  Costello, D.P. and C. Henley (1971). Methods for obtaining and handling marine eggs and embryos. Marine Biological Laboratory, Woods Hole, MA (Second Edition);  earlier edition was: Costello, D.P., M.E. Davidson, A. Eggers, M.H. Fox, and C. Henley (1957). Methods for obtaining and handling marine eggs and embryos. Marine Biological Laboratory, Woods Hole, MA.