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How do cyphonautes larvae of Membranipora live before settling?

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Eurystomella bilabiata, a moss animal from the Order Cheilostomata. — moss animal *Eurystomella bilabiata*, a moss animal from the Order Cheilostomata.

Before settling, the cyphonautes larvae of Membranipora live among and feed on plankton in the sea for several weeks. These larvae are characterized by their triangular, bivalved shape.1

When they are ready to transition to adulthood, they locate a suitable surface and explore it using sensory cilia. Attachment is achieved by flattening a sticky holdfast, which pulls the larva down onto the substrate. Following this, the larval organization degenerates, and the first polypide develops inside a primary zooid.1