BIOTIC Species Information for Ophelia spp.
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| Click here to view the MarLIN Key Information Review for Ophelia spp. | |||||||||||||||
| Researched by | Dr Paul Somerfield & Prof. Richard Warwick | Data supplied by | PML | ||||||||||||
| Refereed by | This information is not refereed | ||||||||||||||
| Taxonomy | |||||||||||||||
| Scientific name | Ophelia spp. | Common name | A polychaete worm | ||||||||||||
| MCS Code | P997 | Recent Synonyms | |||||||||||||
| Phylum | Annelida | Subphylum | |||||||||||||
| Superclass | Class | Polychaeta | |||||||||||||
| Subclass | Order | Opheliida | |||||||||||||
| Suborder | Family | Opheliidae | |||||||||||||
| Genus | Ophelia | Species | |||||||||||||
| Subspecies | |||||||||||||||
| Additional Information | |||||||||||||||
| Taxonomy References | Howson & Picton, 1997, | ||||||||||||||
| General Biology | |||||||||||||||
| Growth form | Vermiform segmented |
Feeding method | Surface deposit feeder |
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| Mobility/Movement | Burrower Swimmer |
Environmental position | Infaunal |
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| Typical food types | Diatoms | Habit | Free living | ||||||||||||
| Bioturbator | Flexibility | High (>45 degrees) | |||||||||||||
| Fragility | Intermediate | Size | Small-medium(3-10cm) | ||||||||||||
| Height | Growth Rate | Not researched | |||||||||||||
| Adult dispersal potential | 100-1000m | Dependency | |||||||||||||
| Sociability | Solitary | ||||||||||||||
| Toxic/Poisonous? | No | ||||||||||||||
| General Biology Additional Information | |||||||||||||||
| Biology References | Rouse & Pleijel, 2001, Fish & Fish, 1996, Barnes, 1965, Fauchald & Jumars, 1979, | ||||||||||||||
| Distribution and Habitat | |||||||||||||||
| Distribution in Britain & Ireland | Not researched | ||||||||||||||
| Global distribution | Not researched | ||||||||||||||
| Biogeographic range | Not researched | Depth range | Not researched | ||||||||||||
| Migratory | |||||||||||||||
| Distribution Additional Information | |||||||||||||||
| Substratum preferences | Muddy sand Water column (pelagic) |
Physiographic preferences | |||||||||||||
| Biological zone | Wave exposure | ||||||||||||||
| Tidal stream strength/Water flow | Salinity | ||||||||||||||
| Habitat Preferences Additional Information | |||||||||||||||
| Distribution References | Rouse & Pleijel, 2001, Fish & Fish, 1996, MBA, 1957, | ||||||||||||||
| Reproduction/Life History | |||||||||||||||
| Reproductive type | Gonochoristic |
Developmental mechanism | Lecithotrophic |
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| Reproductive Season | April to September | Reproductive Location | Water column | ||||||||||||
| Reproductive frequency | Regeneration potential | No | |||||||||||||
| Life span | 6-10 years | Age at reproductive maturity | 1-2 years | ||||||||||||
| Generation time | Not researched | Fecundity | Insufficient information | ||||||||||||
| Egg/propagule size | 140-150 µm | Fertilization type | External | ||||||||||||
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| Reproduction Preferences Additional Information | |||||||||||||||
| Reproduction References | Rouse & Pleijel, 2001, Fish & Fish, 1996, Hayward et al., 1996, Thorson, 1946, | ||||||||||||||
