BIOTIC Species Information for Spiophanes bombyx
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| Researched by | Lizzie Tyler | Data supplied by | University of Sheffield | ||||||||||||
| Refereed by | This information is not refereed. | ||||||||||||||
| Taxonomy | |||||||||||||||
| Scientific name | Spiophanes bombyx | Common name | Bee spionid | ||||||||||||
| MCS Code | P794 | Recent Synonyms | None | ||||||||||||
| Phylum | Annelida | Subphylum | |||||||||||||
| Superclass | Class | Polychaeta | |||||||||||||
| Subclass | Order | Spionida | |||||||||||||
| Suborder | Family | Spionidae | |||||||||||||
| Genus | Spiophanes | Species | bombyx | ||||||||||||
| Subspecies | |||||||||||||||
| Additional Information | None entered | ||||||||||||||
| Taxonomy References | Maurer & Lethem, 1980, Hayward & Ryland, 1995b, Hayward et al., 1996, Hayward & Ryland, 1990, Howson & Picton, 1997, | ||||||||||||||
| General Biology | |||||||||||||||
| Growth form | Tubicolous Vermiform segmented |
Feeding method | Passive suspension feeder Active suspension feeder Surface deposit feeder Sub-surface deposit feeder |
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| Mobility/Movement | Burrower |
Environmental position | Infaunal |
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| 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. |
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| Biology References | Dauer et al., 1981, Hayward & Ryland, 1990, Heidi Tillin, unpub data, Julie Bremner, unpub data, | ||||||||||||||
| Distribution and Habitat | |||||||||||||||
| Distribution in Britain & Ireland | Spiophanes bombyx is found off most British coasts. | ||||||||||||||
| Global distribution | Spiophanes bombyx is found in the north-east Atlantic, Mediterranean and north Pacific. | ||||||||||||||
| Biogeographic range | Not researched | Depth range | |||||||||||||
| Migratory | Non-migratory / Resident | ||||||||||||||
| Distribution Additional Information | None entered | ||||||||||||||
| Substratum preferences | Fine clean sand Sandy mud |
Physiographic preferences | Open coast Strait / sound Estuary Enclosed coast / Embayment Sealoch |
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| Biological zone | Lower Eulittoral Sublittoral Fringe Upper Infralittoral Lower Infralittoral |
Wave exposure | Sheltered Very Sheltered Extremely Sheltered Ultra Sheltered |
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| Tidal stream strength/Water flow | Moderately Strong (1-3 kn) Weak (<1 kn) |
Salinity | Variable (18-40 psu) Full (30-40 psu) |
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| Habitat Preferences Additional Information | None entered | ||||||||||||||
| Distribution References | Maurer & Lethem, 1980, Hayward & Ryland, 1995b, Hayward et al., 1996, Bailey-Brook, 1976, Thorson, 1946, Hayward & Ryland, 1990, Gage, 1972, JNCC, 1999, NBN, 2002, Hayward & Ryland, 1995b, Julie Bremner, unpub data, | ||||||||||||||
| Reproduction/Life History | |||||||||||||||
| Reproductive type | Gonochoristic |
Developmental mechanism | Planktotrophic |
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| Reproductive Season | Insufficient information | Reproductive Location | Insufficient information | ||||||||||||
| Reproductive frequency | Annual protracted | Regeneration potential | No | ||||||||||||
| Life span | See additional information | Age at reproductive maturity | |||||||||||||
| Generation time | See additional information | Fecundity | |||||||||||||
| Egg/propagule size | Fertilization type | Insufficient information | |||||||||||||
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| Reproduction Preferences Additional Information | Reproduction
Spiophanes bombyx is regarded as a typical 'r' selecting species with a short life span, high dispersal potential and high reproductive rate (Kröncke, 1990; Niermann et al., 1990). It is often found at the early successional stages of variable, unstable habitats that it is quick to colonize following perturbation (Pearson & Rosenberg, 1978). Its larval dispersal phase may allow the species to colonize remote habitats. |
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| Reproduction References | Thorson, 1946, Kröncke, 1990, Pearson & Rosenberg, 1978, Niermann et al., 1990, Eckert, 2003, Heidi Tillin, unpub data, | ||||||||||||||
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