Cifonauta

Denominadas pelagosferas, as larvas de muitas espécies de sipuncúlidos são transparentes e nadam livres na água por meses antes de se transformarem no adulto, que tem aspecto vermiforme e vive enterrado na areia ou lodo.

Growth of antero-lateral pair of arms (2nd pair).

Regression of larval tissues. Spicules of the larval skeleton are still present in the aboral region.

Four-arm stage with a vestibule invagination.

First cleavage

One type of larva typical of bryozoans, cyphonauts spend weeks in the water column until settling on a substrate such as rocks or algae, undergoing metamorphosis into the adult form and creating a new colony.

Aboral region (normal position).