BIOTIC

BIOTIC Species Information for Nematostella vectensis
All Taxonomy Biology Distribution Reproduction

Researched by	Charlotte Marshall & Angus Jackson	Data supplied by	MarLIN
Refereed by	Dr Simon Davy & Dr Martin Sheader
General Biology
Growth form	Cylindrical Radial	Feeding method	Passive suspension feeder Predator
Mobility/Movement	Burrower Temporary attachment	Environmental position	Epifaunal Infaunal
Typical food types	Hydrobia, Chironomid and Littorina juveniles.	Habit	Attached
Bioturbator	Not relevant	Flexibility	High (>45 degrees)
Fragility	Fragile	Size	Small(1-2cm)
Height	Up to 15 mm	Growth Rate	Insufficient information
Adult dispersal potential	No information found	Dependency	Independent
Sociability	Solitary
Toxic/Poisonous?	No
General Biology Additional Information	Although the column rarely exceeds 15 mm in length, exceptionally large individuals may reach 60 mm long when fully extended. Furthermore, food availability probably limits size in this species. Only females are found in the south coast populations of England (Sheader et al., 1997) and there seems to be only asexual reproduction in the UK (M. Sheader, pers. comm), therefore male size at maturity is not relevant. See reproduction for further information. Abundance Abundance generally varies with geographic area and time of year. In Pennington Lagoon, Hampshire, a peak in abundance of up to 2700 individuals / m² is seen from September to October whilst in the Fleet, Dorset, the population peaks at around 1500 individuals / m², in November and December (Sheader et al., 1997). In September 1974, more than 12500 / m² were found in a Norfolk pool and an estimate of over 5 million individuals in a single pool has even been made (William, unpubl., cited in Williams, R.B., 1983). On the south coast of England, individual population numbers tend to peak in late summer, the considerable increase probably being the result of asexual reproduction (Sheader et al., 1997).
Biology References	Manuel, 1988, Stephenson, 1935, Sheader et al., 1997, Hand & Uhlinger, 1992, Hand & Uhlinger, 1994, Anonymous, 1999(k), Williams, 1991, Williams, R.B., 1983,