Egg capsules and larval development of Nassarius burchardi (Philippi, 1849) and Nassarius jonasii Dunker, 1846 and comparisons with other Nassariidae (Caenogastropoda)

Adult Nassarius burchardi and N. jonasii were maintained in a laboratory, allowed to spawn and their early life stages described. N. burchardi veligers hatched from bulliform, oval capsules and N. jonasii veligers hatched from circular capsules with axial ridges. The capsules are compared with those described for other Nassariidae. All eggs developed within the capsules and hatching occurred within six to eight days in the laboratory. The planktotrophic veligers developed in four to five weeks before settling and metamorphosing. The veligers of both species were of comparable size and morphology and spent similar times developing as other Nassarius species from temperate waters. The two species differ in protoconch microsculpture.