preceded_by Platynereis life cycle stage sexual metamorphosis stage adult (Heteronereis) stage Developmental stage following Sexual metamorphosis stage with the following key events: Rapid swimming in straight lines. Nuptial dance. Synchronized by lunar periodicity. Mature animals become pelagic. Swarming and nuptial dance. The females release the eggs through disruptions/ fissures between the segments. Males release the sperm through a number of newly formed papillae at the posterior end. The eggs are fertilized in the water. After spawning, males and females die. PdumDv:0001600 UBERON:0000113 adult platynereis_stage