BIOTIC Species Information for Armandia cirrhosa
Researched byNicola White Data supplied byMarLIN
Refereed byDr Richard S.K. Barnes
Taxonomy
Scientific nameArmandia cirrhosa Common nameLagoon sandworm
MCS CodeP1010 Recent SynonymsNone
PhylumAnnelida Subphylum
Superclass ClassPolychaeta
Subclass OrderOpheliida
Suborder FamilyOpheliidae
GenusArmandia Speciescirrhosa
Subspecies   
Additional InformationAlmost nothing is known of its biology.
Taxonomy References Howson & Picton, 1997, Downie, 1996, Barnes, 1994, Rouse & Pleijel, 2001,
General Biology
Growth formVermiform segmented
 Feeding methodSub-surface deposit feeder
Mobility/MovementBurrower
Swimmer
 Environmental positionInfaunal
Typical food typesDetritus HabitBurrow dwelling
Bioturbator FlexibilityHigh (>45 degrees)
FragilityFragile SizeVery small(<1cm)
Height Growth RateInsufficient information
Adult dispersal potentialInsufficient information DependencyIndependent
SociabilitySolitary
Toxic/Poisonous?No
General Biology Additional InformationAlmost nothing is known of the biology of this species. Abundance varies markedly, from 463 individuals per metre square in Eight-Acre Pond to just 12 specimens recorded after extensive searching in the whole of the Fleet and Portland Harbour.
Biology References Rouse & Pleijel, 2001,
Distribution and Habitat
Distribution in Britain & IrelandEight Acre Pond in the Keyhaven-Lymington lagoons in Hampshire; Small Mouth Spit (Portland Harbour) and East Fleet Sandbank (Fleet Lagoon) in Dorset.
Global distributionSouth from the English Channel along the eastern Atlantic coasts, on Madeira and in the Mediterranean and Adriatic.
Biogeographic rangeNot researched Depth range
MigratoryNon-migratory / Resident   
Distribution Additional InformationThe species was formerly very abundant in Eight-Acre Pond, Hampshire, but despite repeated surveys has not been recorded there since 1990. Two new sites were discovered in Dorset in 1994, bringing the total number of sites in the UK to 3.
Substratum preferencesMuddy gravel
Muddy sand
 Physiographic preferencesIsolated saline water (Lagoon)
Biological zoneLower Eulittoral
 Wave exposureVery Sheltered
Tidal stream strength/Water flowInsufficient information
See additional information
 SalinityReduced (18-30 psu)
Variable (18-40 psu)
Habitat Preferences Additional InformationNone entered
Distribution References Downie, 1996, Barnes, 1994, Anonymous, 1999(s), Rouse & Pleijel, 2001,
Reproduction/Life History
Reproductive typeInsufficient information
 Developmental mechanismPlanktotrophic
Reproductive SeasonInsufficient information Reproductive LocationInsufficient information
Reproductive frequencyInsufficient information Regeneration potential No
Life spanInsufficient information Age at reproductive maturityInsufficient information
Generation timeInsufficient information FecundityInsufficient information
Egg/propagule sizeInsufficient information Fertilization typeInsufficient information
Larvae/Juveniles
Larval/Juvenile dispersal potentialInsufficient information Larval settlement periodInsufficient information
Duration of larval stageInsufficient information   
Reproduction Preferences Additional InformationSome Armandia species are known to swarm up into the water to spawn (Rouse & Pleijel, 2001). Armandia cirrosa has planktotrophic larvae (Rouse & Pleijel, 2001).
Reproduction References Rouse & Pleijel, 2001,
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