BIOTIC Species Information for Alkmaria romijni
Researched byNicola White Data supplied byMarLIN
Refereed byDr P. M. Gilliland
Taxonomy
Scientific nameAlkmaria romijni Common nameTentacled lagoon worm
MCS CodeP1127 Recent SynonymsNone
PhylumAnnelida Subphylum
Superclass ClassPolychaeta
Subclass OrderTerebellida
Suborder FamilyAmpharetidae
GenusAlkmaria Speciesromijni
Subspecies   
Additional InformationNo text entered
Taxonomy References Barnes, 1994, Howson & Picton, 1997,
General Biology
Growth formTubicolous
 Feeding methodSurface deposit feeder
Mobility/MovementBurrower
 Environmental positionInfaunal
Typical food typesNo text entered HabitBurrow dwelling
BioturbatorInsufficient information FlexibilityHigh (>45 degrees)
FragilityFragile SizeVery small(<1cm)
Height Growth RateInsufficient information
Adult dispersal potential100-1000m DependencyInsufficient information
SociabilitySolitary
Toxic/Poisonous?No
General Biology Additional InformationAdults live within the sediment in durable mud tubes, the top of which protrude above the sediment surface. No information is available on adult growth rate. However, larval stages grow at approximately 0.15 mm/week (Cazaux, 1982).
Biology References Cazaux, 1982, Arndt, 1989,
Distribution and Habitat
Distribution in Britain & IrelandSouthern shores of the North Sea as far north as the Humber, along the English Channel and round into Pembrokeshire.
Global distributionSouth from Baltic and North Sea coasts to Morocco.
Biogeographic rangeNot researched Depth rangeShallow
MigratoryNon-migratory / Resident   
Distribution Additional InformationAlkmaria romijni has been recorded from 27 sites around the UK (Gilliland & Sanderson, 2000; Thomas & Thorp, 1994). The majority of these are estuaries and the remainder lagoons. The species may be under-recorded due to it's small size. Alkmaria romijni is known from salinities of 5 to 48 ppt, but it's preferred range is thought to be 5 to 20 ppt (Paul Gilliland pers. comm.)
Substratum preferencesMud
Muddy sand
Muddy gravel
 Physiographic preferencesIsolated saline water (Lagoon)
Ria / Voe
Estuary
Biological zoneSublittoral Fringe
Lower Eulittoral
 Wave exposureSheltered
Very Sheltered
Extremely Sheltered
Ultra Sheltered
Tidal stream strength/Water flowWeak (<1 kn)
 SalinityVariable (18-40 psu)
Low (<18 psu)
Habitat Preferences Additional InformationNone entered
Distribution References Barnes, 1994, Arndt, 1989, Gilliland & Sanderson, 2000, Thomas & Thorp, 1994,
Reproduction/Life History
Reproductive typeGonochoristic
 Developmental mechanismLecithotrophic
Reproductive SeasonInsufficient information Reproductive LocationAdult burrow
Reproductive frequencyInsufficient information Regeneration potential No
Life spanInsufficient information Age at reproductive maturityInsufficient information
Generation timeInsufficient information FecundityInsufficient information
Egg/propagule sizeInsufficient information Fertilization typeInsufficient information
Larvae/Juveniles
Larval/Juvenile dispersal potential10-100m Larval settlement periodNot relevant
Duration of larval stageNot relevant   
Reproduction Preferences Additional InformationLarval development lasts 3 months (Cazaux, 1982). Larvae reside within the tubes of the female for up to the first twelve days. They then become free-living on the surface of the sediment and develop their own tube at about 20 days
Reproduction References Cazaux, 1982,
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