Epitoky

Syllid polychaete budding epitokes for the purpose of sexual reproduction.
Alitta succinea (common clam worm) in epitoky stage

Epitoky is a process that occurs in many species of polychaete marine worms wherein a sexually immature worm (the atoke) is modified or transformed into a sexually mature worm (the epitoke). Epitokes are pelagic morphs capable of sexual reproduction.[1] Unlike the immature form, which is typically benthic (lives on the bottom), epitokes are specialized for swimming as well as reproducing. The primary benefit to epitoky is increased chances of finding other members of the same species for reproduction.

There are two methods in which epitoky can occur: schizogamy and epigamy.

  1. ^ Pechenik, Jan I. (2015). Biology of the Invertebrates, Seventh Edition. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill Education. pp. 302–304. ISBN 978-0-07-352418-4.