BIOTIC Species Information for Chaetopterus variopedatus
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| Researched by | Lizzie Tyler | Data supplied by | University of Sheffield | ||||||||||||
| Refereed by | This information is not refereed. | ||||||||||||||
| Taxonomy | |||||||||||||||
| Scientific name | Chaetopterus variopedatus | Common name | Parchment worm | ||||||||||||
| MCS Code | P814 | Recent Synonyms | None | ||||||||||||
| Phylum | Annelida | Subphylum | |||||||||||||
| Superclass | Class | Polychaeta | |||||||||||||
| Subclass | Order | Spionida | |||||||||||||
| Suborder | Family | Chaetopteridae | |||||||||||||
| Genus | Chaetopterus | Species | variopedatus | ||||||||||||
| Subspecies | |||||||||||||||
| Additional Information | None entered | ||||||||||||||
| Taxonomy References | Howson & Picton, 1997, Fish & Fish, 1996, Hayward et al., 1996, Hayward & Ryland, 1995b, | ||||||||||||||
| General Biology | |||||||||||||||
| Growth form | Vermiform segmented |
Feeding method | Passive suspension feeder Active suspension feeder |
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| Mobility/Movement | Burrower |
Environmental position | Epifaunal Infaunal |
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| Typical food types | Suspended organic particulates | Habit | Tubiculous | ||||||||||||
| Bioturbator | Not relevant | Flexibility | High (>45 degrees) | ||||||||||||
| Fragility | Fragile | Size | Medium-large(21-50cm) | ||||||||||||
| Height | Growth Rate | Insufficient information | |||||||||||||
| Adult dispersal potential | Very limited (<1m) | Dependency | Independent | ||||||||||||
| Sociability | Solitary | ||||||||||||||
| Toxic/Poisonous? | No | ||||||||||||||
| General Biology Additional Information | The adult worm is up to 25 cm in length and lives in tough, permanent, U-shaped tubes up to 30 cm in length. | ||||||||||||||
| Biology References | Hayward & Ryland, 1995b, Julie Bremner, unpub data, | ||||||||||||||
| Distribution and Habitat | |||||||||||||||
| Distribution in Britain & Ireland | Widely distributed around British coasts, but not recorded on the east coast of England south of the Tees estuary. | ||||||||||||||
| Global distribution | Cosmopolitan. | ||||||||||||||
| Biogeographic range | Not researched | Depth range | |||||||||||||
| Migratory | Non-migratory / Resident | ||||||||||||||
| Distribution Additional Information | Non entered | ||||||||||||||
| Substratum preferences | Crevices / fissures Muddy gravel Under boulders Bedrock Gravel / shingle Cobbles Pebbles Muddy sand Coarse clean sand Fine clean sand |
Physiographic preferences | Enclosed coast / Embayment Open coast Strait / sound |
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| Biological zone | Lower Infralittoral Lower Circalittoral Upper Circalittoral |
Wave exposure | Exposed Moderately Exposed Very Exposed Very Sheltered Sheltered |
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| Tidal stream strength/Water flow | Very Weak (negligible) Weak (<1 kn) Moderately Strong (1-3 kn) Strong (3-6 kn) |
Salinity | Full (30-40 psu) |
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| Habitat Preferences Additional Information | None entered | ||||||||||||||
| Distribution References | Fish & Fish, 1996, Hayward et al., 1996, Hayward & Ryland, 1995b, Bruce et al., 1963, Foster-Smith, 2000, JNCC, 1999, Picton & Costello, 1998, 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 episodic | Regeneration potential | No | ||||||||||||
| Life span | Insufficient information | Age at reproductive maturity | |||||||||||||
| Generation time | Insufficient information | Fecundity | |||||||||||||
| Egg/propagule size | Fertilization type | External | |||||||||||||
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| Reproduction Preferences Additional Information | Thorson (1946) reported that three weeks after metamorphosis the larvae had secreted a tube within which the animal resided. It is expected that the pelagic stage is rather short. | ||||||||||||||
| Reproduction References | Thorson, 1946, Julie Bremner, unpub data, | ||||||||||||||
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