BIOTIC

BIOTIC Species Information for Magelona mirabilis

Researched by

Will Rayment

Data supplied by

MarLIN

Refereed by

Mike Kendall

Taxonomy

Scientific name

Magelona mirabilis

Common name

A bristleworm

MCS Code

P807

Recent Synonyms

Magelona papillicornis. See additional information.

Phylum

Annelida

Subphylum

Superclass

Class

Polychaeta

Subclass

Order

Spionida

Suborder

Magelonoidea

Family

Magelonidae

Genus

Magelona

Species

mirabilis

Subspecies

Additional Information

Magelona papillicornis is not a true synonym. Magelona papillicornis has not changed its name and still exists off the coasts of Brazil. However, Magelona mirabilis includes the north east Atlantic animals that were once called Magelona papillicornis (M. Kendall, pers. comm.). See Jones (1977) for further taxonomic information.

For detailed notes on the identification of European Magelona sp., see Fiege et al. (2000).

Taxonomy References

Hayward et al., 1996, Hayward & Ryland, 1995b, Howson & Picton, 1997, Fish & Fish, 1996, Fiege et al., 2000, Jones, 1977,

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?

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,

Distribution and Habitat

Distribution in Britain & Ireland

Expected to occur all around the coasts of Britain and Ireland where suitable substrata occur. Recorded patchily from all British and Irish coasts.

Global distribution

Recorded from North Sea coasts, the Baltic Sea, the Atlantic coast of France and the Mediterranean coast of France.

Biogeographic range

Not researched

Depth range

Mid shore to 32 m depth

Migratory

Non-migratory / Resident

Distribution Additional Information

Substratum preferences

Fine clean sand
Coarse clean sand

Physiographic preferences

Open coast
Strait / sound
Enclosed coast / Embayment

Biological zone

Lower Eulittoral
Sublittoral Fringe
Upper Infralittoral
Lower Infralittoral
Upper Circalittoral

Wave exposure

Very Exposed
Exposed
Moderately Exposed
Sheltered

Tidal stream strength/Water flow

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

Salinity

Variable (18-40 psu)
Full (30-40 psu)

Habitat Preferences Additional Information

None entered

Distribution References

Hayward et al., 1996, Hayward & Ryland, 1995b, Fish & Fish, 1996, Fiege et al., 2000, JNCC, 1999, Picton & Costello, 1998, Lackschewitz & Reise, 1998,

Reproduction/Life History

Reproductive type

Gonochoristic

Developmental mechanism

Planktotrophic

Reproductive Season

Varies with geographic location.

Reproductive Location

Insufficient information

Reproductive frequency

Annual protracted

Regeneration potential

Life span

3-5 years

Age at reproductive maturity

Insufficient information

Generation time

1-2 years

Fecundity

Insufficient information

Egg/propagule size

Insufficient information

Fertilization type

External

Larvae/Juveniles
Larval/Juvenile dispersal potential	>10km	Larval settlement period	Insufficient information
Duration of larval stage	Insufficient information

Reproduction Preferences Additional Information

Reproductive data concerning Magelona mirabilis is scarce (Fiege et al., 2000). The data that is available suggests that the reproductive period in Magelona mirabilis varies with geographic location and the breeding season of many polychaetes is known to vary with latitude. Fiege et al. (2000) reported males with sperm masses in St. Andrews, Scotland, in March and females with eggs in Berwick-upon-Tweed in March whilst egg bearing females in Lancieux, France, were recorded in May.
It is generally agreed that Magelona mirabilis displays characteristics typical of an r-selected species, i.e. rapid reproduction, short life span and high dispersal potential (Krönke, 1990; Niermann et al., 1990), and is characteristic of shallow, disturbed, non-successional habitats (M. Kendall, pers. comm.).

Reproduction References

Hayward & Ryland, 1995b, Fish & Fish, 1996, Fiege et al., 2000, Kuhl, 1972, Probert, 1981, Bosselmann, 1989, Kröncke, 1990, Niermann et al., 1990,