BIOTIC

BIOTIC Species Information for Sabellaria spinulosa

Researched by

Lizzie Tyler

Data supplied by

University of Sheffield

Refereed by

This information is not refereed.

Taxonomy

Scientific name

Sabellaria spinulosa

Common name

Ross worm

MCS Code

P1117

Recent Synonyms

None

Phylum

Annelida

Subphylum

Superclass

Class

Polychaeta

Subclass

Order

Terebellida

Suborder

Family

Sabellariidae

Genus

Sabellaria

Species

spinulosa

Subspecies

Additional Information

At low densities, the tubes are attached to the substratum along the entire length but at greater densities competition for space results in the tubes overlapping and may cause the tubes to be built outwards, away from the substratum.

Taxonomy References

Howson & Picton, 1997, Hayward & Ryland, 1995b, English Nature, 1998,

General Biology

Growth form

Tubicolous
Vermiform segmented

Feeding method

Passive suspension feeder
Active suspension feeder

Mobility/Movement

Permanent attachment

Environmental position

Epifaunal

Typical food types

Phytoplankton

Habit

Tubiculous

Bioturbator

Not relevant

Flexibility

None (< 10 degrees)

Fragility

Intermediate

Size

Small-medium(3-10cm)

Height

2-3 cm

Growth Rate

Field unresearched

Adult dispersal potential

None

Dependency

Independent

Sociability

Gregarious

Toxic/Poisonous?

General Biology Additional Information

Can be found in very high densities, for example when forming a reef. Typically found in lower densities as a crust or as individuals. At the Bristol Channel location studied by George & Warwick (1986), densities in excess of 4,000/m² for loosely aggregated Sabellaria spinulosa were recorded whilst the area sampled by Hiscock & Rostron (unpublished) on a level hard substratum had a single layer crust with 9,561 individual Sabellaria spinulosa in 1.4m². There has been considerable concern about decline in Sabellaria spinulosa reefs and shrimp fisheries have been implicated in the decline. However, Vorberg (2000) could find no damage caused after experiments with shrimp trawls in the Wadden Sea and suggests that declines might be more associated with changing patterns of currents perhaps associated with construction, dredging and dumping.

Biology References

Hayward & Ryland, 1995b, English Nature, 1998, George & Warwick, 1985, Vorberg, 2000, Holt et al., 1998, Hayward & Ryland, 1995b, Heidi Tillin, unpub data, Julie Bremner, unpub data, Rees & Dare, 1993,

Distribution and Habitat

Distribution in Britain & Ireland

All British and Irish coasts

Global distribution

Arctic, North Sea, Channel, Atlantic

Biogeographic range

Not researched

Depth range

Migratory

Non-migratory / Resident

Distribution Additional Information

None entered

Substratum preferences

Bedrock
Large to very large boulders
Small boulders
Cobbles

Physiographic preferences

Open coast
Offshore seabed

Biological zone

Upper Infralittoral
Lower Infralittoral

Wave exposure

Very Exposed
Exposed
Moderately Exposed

Tidal stream strength/Water flow

Strong (3-6 kn)
Moderately Strong (1-3 kn)

Salinity

Habitat Preferences Additional Information

Often settles on Pecten maximus and Buccinum undatum and occasionally on Chlamys opercularis. Has strong settlement preference for tubes or sites currently or previously used by the species.

Distribution References

Hayward & Ryland, 1995b, Hayward et al., 1996, Holt et al., 1998, Hayward & Ryland, 1995b, Julie Bremner, unpub data,

Reproduction/Life History

Reproductive type

Gonochoristic

Developmental mechanism

Planktotrophic

Reproductive Season

January to March

Reproductive Location

Insufficient information

Reproductive frequency

Annual protracted

Regeneration potential

Life span

3-5 years

Age at reproductive maturity

Generation time

Insufficient information

Fecundity

100,000 to 1 million eggs

Egg/propagule size

Fertilization type

Insufficient information

Larvae/Juveniles
Larval/Juvenile dispersal potential	>10km	Larval settlement period	March
Duration of larval stage	1-2 months

Reproduction Preferences Additional Information

Wilson (1970b) stated that the larvae spend between six weeks and two months in the plankton. Reproductive seasonality is unclear but George & Warwick (1985) and Wilson (1970) have both reported larval settlement in March in the Bristol Channel and Plymouth areas respectively. Wilson (1970) found a spawning period from January to March in Plymouth. Possibly has similar lifespan to Sabellaria alveolata (up to 9 years). Fecundity and recruitment may be variable (Holt et al., 1998) but may be similar to Sabellaria alveolata.

Reproduction References

Wilson, 1970(b), George & Warwick, 1985, Holt et al., 1998, Heidi Tillin, unpub data, Julie Bremner, unpub data, Gruet & Lassus, 1983, Giangrande, 1997,