A bristleworm (Scolelepis (Scolelepis) squamata)
Distribution data supplied by the Ocean Biodiversity Information System (OBIS). To interrogate UK data visit the NBN Atlas.Map Help
Researched by | Anna Neish | Refereed by | This information is not refereed |
Authority | (O.F. Muller, 1806) | ||
Other common names | - | Synonyms | - |
Summary
Description
Recorded distribution in Britain and Ireland
Widely distributed around the coast of the British Isles.Global distribution
Recorded in the North Eastern Atlantic and the Mediterranean.Habitat
Scolelepis squamata is found in the mid to lower shore of exposed beaches. It is found mainly in sand or sometimes muddy sand in vertical burrows lined with mucus.Depth range
10-500 mIdentifying features
- Slender, bluish-green segmented worm 5-8 cm in length.
- Body composed of 150-200 segments with chaetae and dorsal gills.
- Red vessels distinct in gills and palps.
- Head elongated, pointed anteriorly and posteriorly.
Additional information
It swims in spirals when disturbed.Listed by
- none -
Bibliography
Hayward, P., Nelson-Smith, T. & Shields, C. 1996. Collins pocket guide. Sea shore of Britain and northern Europe. London: HarperCollins.
Hayward, P.J. & Ryland, J.S. (ed.) 1995b. Handbook of the marine fauna of North-West Europe. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Howson, C.M. & Picton, B.E., 1997. The species directory of the marine fauna and flora of the British Isles and surrounding seas. Belfast: Ulster Museum. [Ulster Museum publication, no. 276.]
Picton, B.E. & Costello, M.J., 1998. BioMar biotope viewer: a guide to marine habitats, fauna and flora of Britain and Ireland. [CD-ROM] Environmental Sciences Unit, Trinity College, Dublin.
Datasets
NBN (National Biodiversity Network) Atlas. Available from: https://www.nbnatlas.org.
OBIS (Ocean Biodiversity Information System), 2024. Global map of species distribution using gridded data. Available from: Ocean Biogeographic Information System. www.iobis.org. Accessed: 2024-12-23
Citation
This review can be cited as:
Last Updated: 26/10/2005