Notes on the reproductive biology of brachiopods from southern New Zealand

Abstract

The gonads of Notosaria nigricans, Terebratella inconspicua, T. ronguinea, Liothyrella neozelanica. and Neothyris ienticuiaris from southern New Zealand are described and their breeding state is determined. Attempts to induce spawning were not successful even with individuals that appdatred ripe. Sinlce normal fertilisation did not take place even with stripped gametes, it is concluded that either the brachiopods examined were not fully ripe or some indeterminate factor was inhibiting normal development of the zygotes.