The biology of Dendropoma corallinaceum and Serpulorbis natalensis, two South African vermetid gastropods

D. corallinacewn forms sheet-like colonies at Mean Low Water (MLW) on exposed rocky shores: S. natalensis forms loose aggregations under stones below MLW in more sheltered situations. Both species released young from July— December. D. corallinaceun has single embryos in capsules brooded free in the mantle cavity; S. natalensis has 20–40 embryos per capsule, the latter being attached to the roof of the shell and hanging through a dorsal slit in the mantle. The morphology of the crawling young is similar in both species, resembling adult errant prosobranchs. D. corallinaceum has a stouter, more streamlined protoconch than S. natalensis correlated with the more turbulent water of its habitat. The crawling young secrete a sticky mucous trail for adhesion to the substratum. They are strongly photopositive until settlement. D. corallinaceum can settle within 24 hours but may delay settlement to 4–5 days if suitable substrata are absent. Metamorphosis is complete 2 days after settlement. D. corallinaceum prefer to settle on Lithothamnion which is easily eroded by the radula to provide a groove for rapid, firm attachments to the substratum. Both species feed from mucous nets, S. natalensis having a slower feeding rhythm commensurate with its larger size. Contiguous pairs of S. natalensis have synchronised feeding rhythms, probably to reduce mutual net robbing. Particles are also filtered out of suspension; many particles are rejected in the pseudofaeces but some are ingested. D. corallinaceum and S. natalensis have many similar ecologically equivalent species throughout the warm temperate and tropical seas of the world.