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All aplacophorans are marine and many live in the deep sea (to 6000m or more).
Caudofoveates are burrowers that feed on detritus and bottom-dwelling microorganisms, while soleonogasters feed on cnidarians. Both groups have a radula and lack true nephridia. |
Development includes a test-cell larval stage in which the three tissue types (mesoderm, ectoderm, endoderm) align and differentiate within an exterior cell layer constructed of large test cells. Aplacophoran eggs are relatively large. The Chaetodermomorpha release their gametes into the ocean to spawn there while eggs are fertilized internally in the Neomeniomorpha. Some Neomeniomorpha brood their young to various stages of development. |
