Larval shipworm settlement

Shipworm larvae, only a few days old, start burrowing into wood that will be their food, shelter and prison for their lives. By gripping the wood with their foot, they can press their shells tightly against the surface, then rasp it by opening the shell valves. Siphons have already appeared and are used for respiratory purposes. Of note is the larval shell, which is golden brown, with black areas denoting its edges. New (calcified) shell growth can be seen on the outside rim of the shell, as well as the appearance of sharp teeth on the anterior surfaces of the shell. Other things of interest: 1:25 Shell moves back, revealing sharp teeth on anterior surface. New shell growth can also be seen very clearly along the edges of the larval shell. 2:49 Larva has its ciliated velar lobe (swimming apparatus) deployed, but retracts it soon afterwards 3:02 Siphons can be clearly seen 'pulsing', possibly to create water flow into gills timed with shell closure.