BIOTIC

BIOTIC Species Information for Spiophanes bombyx
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	Tubicolous Vermiform segmented	Feeding method	Passive suspension feeder Active suspension feeder Surface deposit feeder Sub-surface deposit feeder
Mobility/Movement	Burrower	Environmental position	Infaunal
Typical food types	Sediment particles, planktonic organisms, meiobenthic organisms (Dauer et al., 1981).	Habit	Burrow dwelling
Bioturbator	Not researched	Flexibility	High (>45 degrees)
Fragility	Fragile	Size	Small-medium(3-10cm)
Height	Not relevant	Growth Rate	Insufficient information
Adult dispersal potential	100-1000m	Dependency	Independent
Sociability	Solitary
Toxic/Poisonous?	No
General Biology Additional Information	Feeding During suspension feeding captured particles are accumulated in a ciliated groove before being transported to the pharynx, this is termed 'basal' food groove accumulation behaviour (Dauer et al., 1981). Spiophanes bombyx is thought to be the only spionid that displays this unique behaviour.
Biology References	Dauer et al., 1981, Hayward & Ryland, 1990, Heidi Tillin, unpub data, Julie Bremner, unpub data,