preceded_by Platynereis life cycle stage large atokous worm stage sexual metamorphosis stage Developmental stage following Large atokous worm stage with the following key events: End of food intake resulting in an empty gut. Eyes increase in size. Some of the chromatophores degenerate. Maturing females are yellow and maturing males are whitish (anterior) and red (posterior). Posterior parapodia flatten and develop paddle-like chaetae. Major portion of the musculature degenerate and new a muscle type for rapid swimming develops. PdumDv:0001550 platynereis_stage sex