BIOTIC

BIOTIC Species Information for Spio filicornis

Researched by

Lizzie Tyler

Data supplied by

University of Sheffield

Refereed by

This information is not refereed.

Taxonomy

Scientific name

Spio filicornis

Common name

Bristleworm

MCS Code

P790

Recent Synonyms

None

Phylum

Annelida

Subphylum

Superclass

Class

Polychaeta

Subclass

Order

Spionida

Suborder

Family

Spionidae

Genus

Spio

Species

filicornis

Subspecies

Additional Information

Taxonomy References

Howson & Picton, 1997, Hayward & Ryland, 1995b, Fauchald, 1977,

General Biology

Growth form

Vermiform segmented
Tubicolous

Feeding method

Surface deposit feeder
Sub-surface deposit feeder

Mobility/Movement

Burrower

Environmental position

Infaunal

Typical food types

Detritus

Habit

Tubiculous

Bioturbator

Not researched

Flexibility

High (>45 degrees)

Fragility

Fragile

Size

Small-medium(3-10cm)

Height

Not relevant

Growth Rate

Data deficient

Adult dispersal potential

100-1000m

Dependency

Independent

Sociability

Solitary

Toxic/Poisonous?

General Biology Additional Information

None entered

Biology References

Hayward & Ryland, 1990,

Distribution and Habitat

Distribution in Britain & Ireland

Spio filicornis is found on most British coasts.

Global distribution

Spio filicornis is found in the Arctic, Baltic, north-east Atlantic, Mediterranean and north Pacific.

Biogeographic range

Not researched

Depth range

Migratory

Non-migratory / Resident

Distribution Additional Information

None entered

Substratum preferences

Coarse clean sand
Fine clean sand
Mud
Muddy sand

Physiographic preferences

Open coast
Strait / sound
Enclosed coast / Embayment

Biological zone

Lower Eulittoral
Sublittoral Fringe
Upper Infralittoral
Lower Infralittoral

Wave exposure

Sheltered
Very Sheltered
Extremely Sheltered
Ultra Sheltered

Tidal stream strength/Water flow

Weak (<1 kn)
Very Weak (negligible)

Salinity

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

Habitat Preferences Additional Information

None entered

Distribution References

Picton & Costello, 1998, JNCC, 1999, Hayward & Ryland, 1995b,

Reproduction/Life History

Reproductive type

Gonochoristic

Developmental mechanism

Planktotrophic

Reproductive Season

January to September

Reproductive Location

Adult burrow

Reproductive frequency

Annual protracted

Regeneration potential

Life span

1 year

Age at reproductive maturity

<1 year

Generation time

<1 year

Fecundity

400

Egg/propagule size

85 µm diameter

Fertilization type

Insufficient information

Larvae/Juveniles
Larval/Juvenile dispersal potential	>10km	Larval settlement period	Insufficient information
Duration of larval stage	2-10 days

Reproduction Preferences Additional Information

Reproduction
Srikrishnadhas & Ramamoorthi (1981) investigated the life history of Spio filicornis in the laboratory. Their findings are summarised below:

The spindle shaped egg mass was laid inside the worm's tube, stuck to the side of the tube with mucus produced by the female.
Within 12 hours, the eggs metamorphosed into trochophores (larvae) which were retained inside the egg mass.
After 36 hours three segments were faintly marked.
After thee days the larvae broke free of the egg mass and became pelagic.
Once the juvenile worm had 18-22 chaetigers (segments) it settled, metamorphosed, and burrowed into the sand where it built a tube of sand and detritus bound together with mucus.
Worms were sexually mature 2 months after metamorphosis.

Reproduction References

Srikrishnadhas & Ramamoorthi, 1981, Diaz-Castaneda et al., 1989, Eckert, 2003,