[3] These larvae are often long lived and effectively disseminate, although are constrained geographically to their appropriate ranges for successful adult growth.

[4] The trochophore will add segments sequentially from a posterior growth zone to produce a nectochaete larva.

[4] At no point in larval growth stages does the metatrochophore take on the clearly segmented form of the typical nectochaete larva.

The genera Chaetopterus, Mesochaetopterus, and Spiochaetopterus feed using a thin mucus net suspended across the upper portion of their tube.

The mucus net is secreted by a hooplike structure called the aliform notopodia arch.