Abstract

" The early stages of the embryonic and larval development of the limpet Fissurella picta (Gmelin, 1791) (""lapa"") are described. The period after fertilization and until the initial trochophore stage at 10°C was 74 hr. The principal characteristic of the embryonic development is the presence of a gelatinous coat. Routine methods of spawning induction did not produce positive results. The results suggest that in spite of some critical events, it is possible to obtain larvae until the early trochophore stage under laboratory culture conditions, which marks significant progress in cultivating this species, given the intense ex-ploitation and the high commercial value of the ""lapa."". "