BIOTIC

BIOTIC Species Information for Magelona mirabilis
All Taxonomy Biology Distribution Reproduction

Researched by	Will Rayment	Data supplied by	MarLIN
Refereed by	Mike Kendall
General Biology
Growth form	Vermiform segmented	Feeding method	Surface deposit feeder
Mobility/Movement	Burrower	Environmental position	Infaunal
Typical food types	Detritus, microalgae, small animals	Habit	Burrow dwelling
Bioturbator	Not researched	Flexibility	High (>45 degrees)
Fragility	Fragile	Size	Medium(11-20 cm)
Height	Not relevant	Growth Rate	Insufficient information
Adult dispersal potential	100-1000m	Dependency	Independent
Sociability	Solitary
Toxic/Poisonous?	No
General Biology Additional Information	Abundance Occurs at high densities where environmental conditions are suitable. For example, Kuhl (1972) reported Magelona papillicormis at densities of 279 individuals per 0.1 m² on sandy muddy ground in the Elbe Estuary. Feeding Magelona mirabilis feeds by gathering organic material from the sediment surface with its palps. When feeding on poorly sorted material, selectivity may be shown in that magelonids prefer to handle larger particles. Small crustaceans may also be taken as prey, for example, the mucous on the palps may trap a few harpacticoids although this is likely to be incidental (M. Kendall, pers. comm.). In well sorted sand, selectivity may be absent as particles with a high organic content have already been concentrated by other means (Fauchald & Jumars, 1979).
Biology References	Hayward et al., 1996, Hayward & Ryland, 1995b, Fish & Fish, 1996, Fiege et al., 2000, Fauchald & Jumars, 1979, Kuhl, 1972, Niermann et al., 1990,