BIOTIC

BIOTIC Species Information for Eurydice pulchra
All Taxonomy Biology Distribution Reproduction

Researched by	Lizzie Tyler	Data supplied by	University of Sheffield
Refereed by	This information is not refereed.
General Biology
Growth form	Articulate	Feeding method	Predator Scavenger
Mobility/Movement	Swimmer Burrower	Environmental position	Infaunal
Typical food types	Other infaunal invertebrates associated with sandy shores and dead organic material.	Habit	Free living
Bioturbator		Flexibility	High (>45 degrees)
Fragility	Intermediate	Size	Very small(<1cm)
Height	Insufficient information	Growth Rate	0.3 mm/month
Adult dispersal potential	1km-10km	Dependency	Independent
Sociability	Gregarious
Toxic/Poisonous?	No
General Biology Additional Information	Feeding Eurydice pulchra is a highly predatory carnivore, its mouthparts are adapted for tearing and macerating animal tissue (Naylor, 1972). Endogenous swimming rhythm Eurydice pulchra has been shown to have an endogenously controlled circatidal rhythm cycle of swimming that is coupled to a circasemilunar pattern of emergence from the substratum (Alheit & Naylor, 1976; Jones & Naylor, 1970). On the beach, the animals rely on the cue of increasing water agitation caused by the flood tide to swim from the sand, the endogenous component of the rhythm ensuring that they swim for up to 5-6 hours before reburying in the sand in a restricted zone between mean tide level (MTL) and high water neaps (HWN). Eurydice pulchra swims mostly at night. Animals emerging from the sand, or washed out by turbulence during the day show photonegative behaviour and immediately bury themselves again.
Biology References	Naylor, 1972, Hayward, 1994, Fish & Fish, 1996, Fish, 1970, Jones, 1970, Salvat, 1966, Jones & Naylor, 1970, Alheit & Naylor, 1976, Hayward & Ryland, 1990,