Rough water as a spawning stimulus in some Trochid and Turbinid gastropods

Adults of three species of common intertidal gastropods, Melagraphia aethiops, Zediloma atrovirens, and Lunella smaragda, were collected from Waitemata Harbour, Auckland (36° 51 S, 174° 47 E) and brought to the laboratory, where several methods of artificial spawning were attempted throughout the year. The one successful method, involving vigorous water movement around ripe adults, induced them to release gametes during their respective spawning seasons, and was equally effective in the natural habitat. Larval stages were found in the plankton only during periods of on‐shore wind speeds greater than 10 knots, with which their presence was correlated, rather than with tides, lunar cycles, or sea temperatures.