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Observations on the swarming habits and lunar periodicity ofPlatynereis sp. from the Madras Harbour

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Proceedings / Indian Academy of Sciences

Summary

Heteronereids ofPlatynereis sp. swarm in the Madras Harbour during the new moon in the months of March, June and September. An interval of three lunar months is observed between successive swarms. Swarming takes place in the night, between 7 and 10p.m. corresponding to the period of maximum high tide; it may occur on the new moon night as well as on one night previous or after. The Heteronereids are described; they appear to be different from the species ofPlatynereis already known from. India. The behaviour of the worms during swarming, swarming periods and the records of observations are given in detail. The periodicity observed in this species is compared with other known instances, and the question of lunar periodicity in reproduction is discussed.

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  1. University Zoological Laboratory, Madras

    R. Gopala Aiyar & N. Kesava Panikkar

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  1. R. Gopala Aiyar
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  2. N. Kesava Panikkar
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Aiyar, R.G., Panikkar, N.K. Observations on the swarming habits and lunar periodicity ofPlatynereis sp. from the Madras Harbour. Proc. Indian Acad. Sci. 5, 245–260 (1937). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03048187

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