Larval shell development of the toheroa,Paphies ventricosa (Gray, 1843) (Mactracea: Mesodesmatidae)

The larval shells of Paphies ventricosa, reared to settlement in the hatchery, are similar in longitudinal profile to shells of some other mactracean larvae; the umbo‐stage larval shells are nearly round with the anterior margin less broadly curved than the posterior margin, the anterior end is longer than the posterior end, and the umbo is broadly rounded. Straight‐hinge larvae had total lengths up to 149 μm, and total heights up to 126 μm, and umbo larvae had total lengths up to 320 μm, and total heights up to 282 μm. The larvae settled in about 22 days at a size of about 270 μm. The larval hinge structure bears some similarities to those of other mactracean larvae.