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

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

Polarized light highlights the calcareous skeleton showing the structure of spines, podia, and remnants of the larval skeleton.

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

Polarized light highlights the calcareous skeleton showing the structure of spines, podia, and remnants of the larval skeleton.

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

Polarized light highlights the calcareous skeleton showing the structure of spines, podia, and remnants of the larval skeleton.

Polarized light highlights the calcareous skeleton showing the structure of spines, podia, and remnants of the larval skeleton.

Polarized light highlights the calcareous skeleton showing the structure of spines, podia, and remnants of the larval skeleton.

Polarized light highlights the calcareous skeleton showing the structure of spines, podia, and remnants of the larval skeleton.

Polarized light highlights the calcareous skeleton showing the structure of spines, podia, and remnants of the larval skeleton.

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

Polarized light highlights the calcareous skeleton showing the structure of spines, podia, and remnants of the larval skeleton.

Polarized light highlights the calcareous skeleton showing the structure of spines, podia, and remnants of the larval skeleton.

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

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

Polarized light highlights the calcareous skeleton showing the structure of spines, podia, and remnants of the larval skeleton.

Polarized light highlights the calcareous skeleton showing the structure of spines, podia, and remnants of the larval skeleton.

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

Polarized light highlights the calcareous skeleton showing the structure of spines, podia, and remnants of the larval skeleton.

O vídeo retrata o ciclo de vida da bolacha-do-mar Clypeaster subdepressus e faz parte do meu projeto de mestrado pelo Instituto de Biociências da Universidade de São Paulo. Coletamos os adultos em fundos arenosos do Canal de São Sebastião (São Sebastião, SP, Brasil) e os induzimos a liberarem seus gametas (óvulos e espermatozóides). Fizemos a fecundação in vitro e acompanhamos o desenvolvimento dos embriões no laboratório, sob microscopia de luz. Os embriões tornam-se larvas natantes, com cerca de 0 2 mm, que alimentamos com microalgas até sua metamorfose. A pequena bolacha-do-mar cresce dentro da larva. Quando os minúsculos pés e espinhos estão formados a larva afunda e sofre a metamorfose. O filhote de bolacha-do-mar reabsorve os tecidos larvais e passa a explorar seu novo habitat, entre os grãos de areia. Fizemos todas as filmagens no Centro de Biologia Marinha da Universidade de São Paulo (CEBIMar-USP), localizado em São Sebastião, SP, Brasil, litoral norte do estado de São Paulo (http://www.usp.br/cbm). Mais informações sobre este projeto podem ser encontradas no site (http://mestrado.organelas.com). Baixe a trilha sonora no site da netlabel AEROTONE (http://tinyurl.com/MyFirstTrumpet-Frerk). Este vídeo está sob uma licença Creative Commons by-nc-sa (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/2.5/br/).

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

Polarized light highlights the calcareous skeleton showing the structure of spines, podia, and remnants of the larval skeleton.

Polarized light highlights the calcareous skeleton showing the structure of spines, podia, and remnants of the larval skeleton.

Polarized light highlights the calcareous skeleton showing the structure of spines, podia, and remnants of the larval skeleton.

Detail of podia and spines.

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

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

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

Polarized light highlights the calcareous skeleton showing the structure of spines, podia, and remnants of the larval skeleton.

Polarized light highlights the calcareous skeleton showing the structure of spines, podia, and remnants of the larval skeleton.

Polarized light highlights the calcareous skeleton showing the structure of spines, podia, and remnants of the larval skeleton.

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

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

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

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

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

Polarized light highlights the calcareous skeleton showing the structure of spines, podia, and remnants of the larval skeleton.

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