A sand digger shrimp (Bathyporeia pelagica)

Distribution data supplied by the Ocean Biodiversity Information System (OBIS). To interrogate UK data visit the NBN Atlas.Map Help

Summary

Description

A small crustacean that grows to approximately 6-8 mm in length. Its body is laterally compressed with two pairs of antennae and seven pairs of thoracic limbs. Antenna 1 is shorter than antenna 2, and holds an accessory flagellum. The basal segment of antenna 1 is very large, and rectangular in shape. The remaining segments of antenna 1 are smaller and arise at right angles to the basal segment, a feature known as geniculate, and characteristic of the genus. The body appears semi-transparent to white, with varying degrees of red pigment associated with the abdomen. The eyes are red in colour and easily visible.

Recorded distribution in Britain and Ireland

Found on sandy coasts of Britain and Ireland.

Global distribution

This species has been recorded from the Netherlands and the Channel coast of France.

Habitat

Found in wet, clean, fine to medium sand, from slightly above the mean tide level into the shallow sublittoral; often abundant above mean tide level.

Depth range

-

Identifying features

  • The dorsal surface of the fourth segment of the abdomen with a pair of forwardly directed bristles and a pair of backwardly directed spines (J. Fish, pers. comm.).
  • The third of three lateral plates (epimeral plates) on either side of abdominal segments 1, 2 and 3 has a tiny posterior tooth together with 4 or 5 groups of spines above the ventral border (J. Fish, pers. comm.).
  • In the adult male the posterior tooth is reduced to an uneven border around the postero-ventral corner.
  • Distinguished from Bathyporeia guilliamsoniana by the large first segment of antenna 1, which has a straight, angular tip.

Additional information

The Gammaridea are difficult to identify and reference should be made to Lincoln (1979) for guidance.

Listed by

- none -

Biology review

Taxonomy

LevelScientific nameCommon name
ClassMalacostraca
OrderAmphipoda
FamilyBathyporeiidae
GenusBathyporeia
Authority(Spence Bate, 1856)
Recent Synonyms

Biology

ParameterData
Typical abundanceModerate density
Male size range<6 mm
Male size at maturity
Female size range5 mm
Female size at maturity
Growth formArticulate
Growth rate
Body flexibilityHigh (greater than 45 degrees)
MobilitySwimmer
Characteristic feeding methodSee additional information
Diet/food source
Typically feeds onOrganic matter
Sociability
Environmental positionInfaunal
DependencyIndependent.
SupportsNo information
Is the species harmful?No

Biology information

Characteristic feeding method

Bathyporeia pelagica is an epistrate feeder, individual sand grains are rotated by the mouth parts and organic matter removed, essentially 'sand-licking' (Fish & Fish, 1996).

Pelagic phase

Species of the amphipod genus Bathyporeia leave the protection of the sand at night to swim. Such activity is also a feature of certain species of benthic amphipods, particularly of those belonging to the families Haustoriidae, Phoxocephalidae, Oedicerotidae, Calliopiidae, Atylidae and Dexaminidae (Fage, 1933). The swimming activity of Bathyporeia pelagica shows both a circatidal and circasemilunar periodicity (Watkin, 1939a; Fincham, 1970a & 1970b; Preece, 1971). Bathyporeia pelagica emerges on the early ebb of high tides and is two or three times more active on night-time tides than during the day. It is likely that the endogenous rhythm of Bathyporeia pelagica is modulated by temperature, the natural Light/Day cycle (nL/D) and tides acting as exogenous synchronizing factors. This endogenous rhythm will also 'free-run' in animals kept under constant environmental conditions (Fincham, 1970b). However, it is not yet known which exogenous stimulus is most important in re-phasing the activity cycle to keep in tune with seasonally changing tides and nL/D ratios (Hayward, 1994). It is difficult to state exactly why Bathyporeia pelagica has this activity rhythm. Feeding is an unlikely cause since this is conducted whilst buried in the sand. It seems more likely that swimming is connected with the reproductive cycle. Whilst the species swims most nights, a maxima occurs 4-9 days after a new moon when there is less rapid water movement over the beach than at spring tides. As a result, mating couplings may be more successful (see reproduction).

Habitat preferences

ParameterData
Physiographic preferencesEnclosed coast or Embayment, Estuary, Strait or Sound
Biological zone preferencesLower eulittoral, Mid eulittoral, Sublittoral fringe, Upper eulittoral
Substratum / habitat preferencesFine clean sand
Tidal strength preferences
Wave exposure preferencesModerately exposed, Sheltered
Salinity preferencesFull (30-40 psu)
Depth range
Other preferences

No text entered

Migration PatternNon-migratory or resident

Habitat Information

Salinity tolerance

Bathyporeia pelagica is an intertidal species restricted to the lower half of the tidal range by its intolerance to changes in salinity. In experimental studies, Preece (1970) found that Bathyporeia pilosa had a wider salinity tolerance than Bathyporeia pelagica. In both species, gravid females and juvenile males tolerated hyposaline conditions (3.6psu & 10.8psu) better than mature males, and that an increase in temperature (5°C to 15 °C) lowered the tolerance to hyposaline conditions. The differences in salinity tolerance between the species are considered to be important in determining their vertical distribution on the shore. Field studies (Watkin, 1942; Fish & Preece, 1970) have shown that Bathyporeia pilosa extends into areas where salinity fluctuations are pronounced, whilst Bathyporeia pelagica occurs in areas of higher and more stable salinity.

Changes in distribution

Vertical migration into the tidal waters occurs on most nights of the year. However, the species retain their zonation closely when swimming in the tidal waters, which suggests that the time they remain in the water is short or that several cyclical migrations are made (Watkin, 1939a). Seasonal changes in vertical distribution and abundance are considered to be influenced by salinity-temperature fluctuations acting in association with maturation. For instance, Fish & Preece (1970) observed the disappearance of Bathyporeia pelagica from their sampling site at Ynyslas, west Wales in March 1967 and specimens were not recorded again until October. In subsequent years the disappearance of Bathyporeia pelagica was sudden and characterized by the movement of a large proportion of the population to the lowest levels of the shore.

Life history

Adult characteristics

ParameterData
Reproductive typeGonochoristic (dioecious)
Reproductive frequency Annual episodic
Fecundity (number of eggs)See additional information
Generation timeSee additional information
Age at maturitySee additional information
SeasonSpring - Autumn
Life span1 year

Larval characteristics

ParameterData
Larval/propagule type-
Larval/juvenile development Ovoviviparous
Duration of larval stageNot relevant
Larval dispersal potential 10 -100 m
Larval settlement periodInsufficient information

Life history information

Annual reproductive cycle. Fish & Preece (1970) described the reproductive cycle of Bathyporeia spp. The sexes are separate and pair whilst swimming, but there is no prolonged precopula behaviour. Mature females of Bathyporeia pelagica may produce a sequence of broods. Whilst one set of embryos develop in the brood pouch, oogonia enlarge in the ovary. The development of an egg to the stage when it is released as a juvenile takes about 15 days, and this cycle is thought to be related to the phases of the moon (Watkin, 1939b; Fish, 1975). Females produce up to 15 eggs (J. Fish, pers. comm.). Two reproductive peaks occur in spring and autumn suggesting that the overwintering population matures slowly and reproduces in the spring, and their progeny mature rapidly over 5 months to reproduce in the autumn of the same year. Fish & Preece (1970) found that between November and February the population of Bathyporeia pelagica on a sandy beach at Ynyslas, west Wales, consisted entirely of non-reproducing juveniles. Salvat (1967) recorded a similar generation delay for some populations of species on the west coast of France, but in other regions reported reproduction throughout the year. It is likely that temperature may be an important factor. During the breeding season, gravid females are readily identified by the presence of blue eggs in the brood chamber (Fish & Fish, 1996). The ratio of the sexes in Bathyporeia pelagica varies throughout the year, unlike Bathyporeia pilosa where there is a continuous dominance of females in the population (Fish & Preece, 1970).

Sensitivity reviewHow is sensitivity assessed?

Physical pressures

Use / to open/close text displayed

 IntoleranceRecoverabilitySensitivityEvidence / Confidence
Substratum loss [Show more]

Substratum loss

Benchmark. All of the substratum occupied by the species or biotope under consideration is removed. A single event is assumed for sensitivity assessment. Once the activity or event has stopped (or between regular events) suitable substratum remains or is deposited. Species or community recovery assumes that the substratum within the habitat preferences of the original species or community is present. Further details

Evidence

Bathyporeia pelagica lives infaunally in the uppermost 3 cm of sandy substrata. The removal of the substratum would also remove the resident population and therefore intolerance has been assessed to be high. Re-population is likely to be rapid (see additional information below).
High Very high Low Moderate
Smothering [Show more]

Smothering

Benchmark. All of the population of a species or an area of a biotope is smothered by sediment to a depth of 5 cm above the substratum for one month. Impermeable materials, such as concrete, oil, or tar, are likely to have a greater effect. Further details.

Evidence

Within amphipod crustaceans the most efficient adaptations of body form for a sand burrowing mode of life have occurred (Maurer et al., 1986). Bathyporeia pelagica would probably be unaffected by an additional covering of a sediment of a texture within its habitat preference (fine - medium sand, 0.125-0.5 mm median diameter, Wentworth scale), although there may be an energetic cost incurred by the additional burrowing activity required to attain a near-surface position for feeding and to swim. However, Maurer et al., (1986) observed curtailment of burrowing activity and reduced survivorship in another burrowing amphipod, Parahaustorius longimerus (Haustoriidae), when exposed to 'exotic' sediments with a greater silt/clay content. Therefore, Bathyporeia pelagica is likely to be more intolerant of smothering by both coarser and finer particles and viscous materials such as oil, through which burrowing is likely to be hindered. Consequently, the intolerance of Bathyporeia pelagica to smothering has been assessed to be intermediate. The species is likely to have a high capacity for recovery (see additional information, below).
Intermediate High Low Moderate
Increase in suspended sediment [Show more]

Increase in suspended sediment

Benchmark. An arbitrary short-term, acute change in background suspended sediment concentration e.g., a change of 100 mg/l for one month. The resultant light attenuation effects are addressed under turbidity, and the effects of rapid settling out of suspended sediment are addressed under smothering. Further details

Evidence

Bathyporeia pelagica is an infaunal species whose feeding is not reliant upon a supply of suspended material, and it is unlikely that its swimming activity would be affected by an increase in the suspended matter in the water column, as it is a regular swimmer in the surf plankton, where the concentration of suspended particles would be expected to be higher (Fincham, 1970a). Furthermore, during the winter, when the species often extends its distribution into the mouths of estuaries, Bathyporeia pelagica may encounter concentrations of suspended sediment measurable in grams per litre (benchmark is mg/l) (Cole et al., 1999). However, in turn, as a result of increased suspended sediment, the quantity of material deposited on the substratum surface is likely to increase on the ebb tide. Bathyporeia pelagica appears to have a habitat preference for substrata of fine to medium sand with a silt/clay content of <5% (Fish & Fish, 1978). Increased deposition of finer particles may result in changes of the sediment composition, certainly of the surface layers, and could have a smothering effect on the infaunal population (see smothering). However, the effects of accretion of material are addressed under smothering (see above), and as Bathyporeia pelagica is a constituent of the surf plankton, intolerance has been assessed as low. The species is likely to have a very high capacity for recovery (see additional information, below).
Low Very high Very Low Low
Decrease in suspended sediment [Show more]

Decrease in suspended sediment

Benchmark. An arbitrary short-term, acute change in background suspended sediment concentration e.g., a change of 100 mg/l for one month. The resultant light attenuation effects are addressed under turbidity, and the effects of rapid settling out of suspended sediment are addressed under smothering. Further details

Evidence

Bathyporeia pelagica is an infaunal species whose feeding is not reliant upon a supply of suspended material. A reduced concentration of suspended matter may be indicative of an alteration of shore topography, resulting in the reduced deposition of material and habitat loss for the species. However, for the period of one month effects are not likely to be significant, and intolerance has been assessed to be low. The species is likely to have an immediate capacity for recovery and re-population (see additional information, below).
Low Immediate Not sensitive
Desiccation [Show more]

Desiccation

  1. A normally subtidal, demersal or pelagic species including intertidal migratory or under-boulder species is continuously exposed to air and sunshine for one hour.
  2. A normally intertidal species or community is exposed to a change in desiccation equivalent to a change in position of one vertical biological zone on the shore, e.g., from upper eulittoral to the mid eulittoral or from sublittoral fringe to lower eulittoral for a period of one year. Further details.

Evidence

Desiccation is unlikely to prove a lethal factor to a species of an established beach fauna since the risk of drying up follows a regular pattern to which the species have evolved e.g. the development of physiological adaptations to withstand the risk of desiccation (Eltringham, 1971). Bathyporeia pelagica is an intertidal species, whose distribution typically extends from above mean tide level (MTL), into the shallow sublittoral on beaches of clean medium to fine sand. Medium to fine-grained sand remains damp throughout the tidal cycle (Connor et al. 1997b) and its uppermost distribution on the shore is apparently primarily determined by its intolerance to reduced salinity (Preece, 1970). It is also a mobile species able to migrate from intolerable environmental fluctuations. If Bathyporeia pelagica were exposed to a change in desiccation equivalent to a change in position of one vertical zone on the shore, its environmental position and physiology are likely to protect it from the effects of desiccation and Bathyporeia pelagica has been assessed not to be intolerant of the benchmark change in desiccation.
Tolerant Not relevant Not sensitive Moderate
Increase in emergence regime [Show more]

Increase in emergence regime

Benchmark. A one hour change in the time covered or not covered by the sea for a period of one year. Further details

Evidence

Bathyporeia pelagica is an intertidal species, found from slightly above the mean tide level (MTL) into the shallow sublittoral, consequently it experiences regular periods of emersion. During periods of emergence, birds such as the ringed plover, Charadrius hiaticula and grey plover,Pluvialis squatarola, exploit populations of intertidal animals. An additional hour of emergence would allow the birds to feed for longer and the viability of the population of Bathyporeia pelagica may be reduced. Intolerance has been assessed to be low, and recovery expected to be very high (see additional information, below).
Low Very high Very Low Moderate
Decrease in emergence regime [Show more]

Decrease in emergence regime

Benchmark. A one hour change in the time covered or not covered by the sea for a period of one year. Further details

Evidence

Bathyporeia pelagica is an intertidal species that experiences regular periods of immersion and emersion. Its distribution extends into the shallow sublittoral where it remains immersed on all but the lowest spring tides. Therefore Bathyporeia pelagica has been assessed to be tolerant of a decrease in emergence.
Tolerant Not relevant Not sensitive Moderate
Increase in water flow rate [Show more]

Increase in water flow rate

A change of two categories in water flow rate (view glossary) for 1 year, for example, from moderately strong (1-3 knots) to very weak (negligible). Further details

Evidence

An increase of two categories in the water flow rate for the duration of one year would probably result in the winnowing away of the finest fraction of sand, leaving a coarser surface layer. Bathyporeia pilosa, a closely related species to Bathyporeia pelagica (Fish & Fish, 1996), avoided burrowing into substrata with particles > 500µm median diameter (Khayrallah & Jones, 1978a). Thus it is likely that Bathyporeia pelagica would become exposed to conditions outside its habitat preference and would probably no longer be found at such a location. Intolerance has been assessed to be high. Recovery has been assessed to be high owing to the species distribution and reproductive pattern (see additional information below), although following return to prior conditions, it may take many months for the deposition of a substratum suitable for colonization by the species e.g. Scott (1960) witnessed the deposition of a sandy beach to take 5 months following its near complete removal during storms.
High High Moderate Low
Decrease in water flow rate [Show more]

Decrease in water flow rate

A change of two categories in water flow rate (view glossary) for 1 year, for example, from moderately strong (1-3 knots) to very weak (negligible). Further details

Evidence

A decrease of two categories in the water flow rate for the duration of one year would, in the absence of wave action determining grain size, favour the deposition of finer sand, silts and clays. Bathyporeia pelagica demonstrated a habitat preference for clean, medium to fine grained sands with a minimum silt/clay content. Accumulation of finer sediments over the period of a year would alter not only the physical properties of the substratum, but also the chemical properties, especially the degree of oxygenation. Bathyporeia pelagica is probably intolerant of poorly oxygenated substrata, and smaller juveniles may be easily smothered by accretion of fine material. Again, assuming that tidal flow rate exerts an influence on sedimentation, Bathyporeia pelagica would become exposed to conditions outside its habitat preference and would probably no longer be found at such a location. Intolerance has been assessed to be high. Recovery has been assessed to be high owing to the species distribution and reproductive pattern (see additional information below), although following return to prior conditions, it may take many months for the substratum to obtain characteristics favourable for colonization by the species.
High High Moderate Low
Increase in temperature [Show more]

Increase in temperature

  1. A short-term, acute change in temperature; e.g., a 5°C change in the temperature range for three consecutive days. This definition includes ‘short-term’ thermal discharges.
  2. A long-term, chronic change in temperature; e.g. a 2°C change in the temperature range for a year. This definition includes ‘long term’ thermal discharges.

For intertidal species or communities, the range of temperatures includes the air temperature regime for that species or community. Further details

Evidence

Hayward (1994) states that seawater temperatures vary little between day and night, and seasonal variations tend to be slow and gradual, allowing animals to respond through behavioural changes. However, at low tide air temperature becomes critically important to intertidal animals, and on sandy beaches the habitat, from the surface to a depth of several centimetres, can experience large variations in temperature during a single tidal cycle (Hayward, 1994). For instance, Khayrallah & Jones (1978b) reported the temperature range of sand at a depth of 1 cm during neap tide periods, to be from -2°C in February 1973 to a maximum of 25°C in July 1977. The effects of increased temperature are not necessarily direct, and may be related more to the resultant changes in other factors, especially oxygen (Eltringham, 1971; Hayward, 1994). For interstitial sand dwellers such as Bathyporeia pelagica, increased temperatures may be deleterious through an effect on oxygen levels. In the surface layer of the substratum, higher temperatures promote bacterial growth, especially on beaches with a higher organic content e.g. decaying seaweed, so that the interstitial water is rapidly depleted of oxygen for the period before it is replenished by the flood tide. An intolerance assessment of low has been made owing to the fact that the deleterious effects of high temperature upon a species are not necessarily direct, but rather related to the exacerbated influences of other factors e.g. depleted oxygen or salinity change.
Low High Low Moderate
Decrease in temperature [Show more]

Decrease in temperature

  1. A short-term, acute change in temperature; e.g., a 5°C change in the temperature range for three consecutive days. This definition includes ‘short-term’ thermal discharges.
  2. A long-term, chronic change in temperature; e.g. a 2°C change in the temperature range for a year. This definition includes ‘long term’ thermal discharges.

For intertidal species or communities, the range of temperatures includes the air temperature regime for that species or community. Further details

Evidence

Hayward (1994) states that seawater temperatures vary little between day and night, and seasonal variations tend to be slow and gradual, allowing animals to respond through behavioural changes. However, at low tide air temperature becomes critically important to intertidal animals, and on sandy beaches the habitat, from the surface to a depth of several centimetres, can experience large variations in temperature during a single tidal cycle (Hayward, 1994). For instance, Khayrallah & Jones (1978b) reported the temperature range of sand at a depth of 1 cm during neap tide periods, to be from -2°C in February 1973 to a maximum of 25°C in July 1977, but freezing of sediment was only encountered once in the three year period of study. The effect of an unusually cold winter on the interstitial fauna is a simple physical one, in which body fluids freeze, causing cell and tissue damage. However, whilst low temperature are likely to be physically damaging to interstitial animals, Crisp (1964) reported that other interstitial species of amphipod and isopods seemed to be unharmed by the severe winter of 1962-1963 and intolerance has been assessed to be low.
Low High Low Moderate
Increase in turbidity [Show more]

Increase in turbidity

  1. A short-term, acute change; e.g., two categories of the water clarity scale (see glossary) for one month, such as from medium to extreme turbidity.
  2. A long-term, chronic change; e.g., one category of the water clarity scale (see glossary) for one year, such as from low to medium turbidity. Further details

Evidence

Bathyporeia pelagica is infaunal and is not likely to be affected by the light attenuating effects caused by an increase in turbidity.
Tolerant Not relevant Not sensitive Low
Decrease in turbidity [Show more]

Decrease in turbidity

  1. A short-term, acute change; e.g., two categories of the water clarity scale (see glossary) for one month, such as from medium to extreme turbidity.
  2. A long-term, chronic change; e.g., one category of the water clarity scale (see glossary) for one year, such as from low to medium turbidity. Further details

Evidence

Bathyporeia pelagica is infaunal and is not likely to be directly affected by increased light penetration of the water column caused by a decrease in turbidity.
Tolerant Not relevant Not sensitive Low
Increase in wave exposure [Show more]

Increase in wave exposure

A change of two ranks on the wave exposure scale (view glossary) e.g., from Exposed to Extremely exposed for a period of one year. Further details

Evidence

The strength of wave action determines the topography, slope and width of the intertidal. An increase in wave exposure would alter the shore through increased erosion (which may not be compensated for by deposition) and leave a coarser substratum. Intolerance has been assessed to be high owing the potential loss of habitat and the alteration in the nature of the sediment outside the habitat preference of the species. Re-population is likely on return to prior conditions and recoverability has been assessed to be high (see additional information below).
High High Moderate Low
Decrease in wave exposure [Show more]

Decrease in wave exposure

A change of two ranks on the wave exposure scale (view glossary) e.g., from Exposed to Extremely exposed for a period of one year. Further details

Evidence

The hydrodynamic regime has a significant effect on the distribution of sediments of different particle sizes and the slope of the shore. Decreases in wave exposure in relatively sheltered locations, may cause accretion of finer sands and even silt and clays. Bathyporeia pelagica demonstrates a habitat preference for clean, medium to fine grained sands with a minimum silt/clay content. Accumulation of finer sediments over the period of a year would alter not only the physical properties of the substratum, but also the chemical properties, especially the degree of oxygenation. Bathyporeia pelagica has been assessed to be intolerant of poorly oxygenated substrata, and smaller juveniles may be easily smothered by accretion of fine material. An intolerance assessment of high has been made. On return to prior conditions re-population is likely and recovery has been assessed to be high (see additional information below).
High High Moderate Low
Noise [Show more]

Noise

  1. Underwater noise levels e.g., the regular passing of a 30-metre trawler at 100 metres or a working cutter-suction transfer dredge at 100 metres for one month during important feeding or breeding periods.
  2. Atmospheric noise levels e.g., the regular passing of a Boeing 737 passenger jet 300 metres overhead for one month during important feeding or breeding periods. Further details

Evidence

Bathyporeia pelagica may respond, e.g. wriggle, to vibrations caused by noise, but it is unlikely to be directly sensitive to noise at the benchmark level.
Tolerant Not relevant Not sensitive Low
Visual presence [Show more]

Visual presence

Benchmark. The continuous presence for one month of moving objects not naturally found in the marine environment (e.g., boats, machinery, and humans) within the visual envelope of the species or community under consideration. Further details

Evidence

Bathyporeia pelagica is able to detect changes in light, which influences its endogenous swimming activity, but it is unlikely to have any visual acuity and has been assessed not to be sensitive to this factor.
Tolerant Not relevant Not sensitive Low
Abrasion & physical disturbance [Show more]

Abrasion & physical disturbance

Benchmark. Force equivalent to a standard scallop dredge landing on or being dragged across the organism. A single event is assumed for assessment. This factor includes mechanical interference, crushing, physical blows against, or rubbing and erosion of the organism or habitat of interest. Where trampling is relevant, the evidence and trampling intensity will be reported in the rationale. Further details.

Evidence

Bathyporeia pelagica is infaunal and highly mobile so that is unlikely to be damaged by abrasion caused by the passing scallop dredge. Therefore, it has been assessed as tolerant.
Tolerant Not relevant Not sensitive Low
Displacement [Show more]

Displacement

Benchmark. Removal of the organism from the substratum and displacement from its original position onto a suitable substratum. A single event is assumed for assessment. Further details

Evidence

Bathyporeia pelagica is a mobile species, which leaves the protection of the substratum regularly owing to its endogenous swimming rhythm and buries back into the substratum before low tide (see adult general biology). As displacement is a regular feature in the life of Bathyporeia pelagica, it has been assessed to be not sensitive to displacement from the substratum.
Tolerant Not relevant Not sensitive High

Chemical pressures

Use [show more] / [show less] to open/close text displayed

 IntoleranceRecoverabilitySensitivityEvidence / Confidence
Synthetic compound contamination [Show more]

Synthetic compound contamination

Sensitivity is assessed against the available evidence for the effects of contaminants on the species (or closely related species at low confidence) or community of interest. For example:

  • evidence of mass mortality of a population of the species or community of interest (either short or long term) in response to a contaminant will be ranked as high sensitivity;
  • evidence of reduced abundance, or extent of a population of the species or community of interest (either short or long term) in response to a contaminant will be ranked as intermediate sensitivity;
  • evidence of sub-lethal effects or reduced reproductive potential of a population of the species or community of interest will be assessed as low sensitivity.

The evidence used is stated in the rationale. Where the assessment can be based on a known activity then this is stated. The tolerance to contaminants of species of interest will be included in the rationale when available; together with relevant supporting material. Further details.

Evidence

In general, crustaceans are widely reported to be intolerant of synthetic chemicals (Cole et al., 1999) and intolerance to some specific chemicals has been observed in amphipods. Gammaridean amphipods have been reported to be intolerant of TBT with 10 day LC50 values of 1-48ng/l (Meador et al., 1993). Intolerance has been assessed to be high (in the absence of information to the contrary for this species) and recovery moderate owing to the possible persistence of contaminants in the substratum.
High Moderate Moderate Very low
Heavy metal contamination [Show more]

Heavy metal contamination

Evidence

For most metals, toxicity to crustaceans increases with decreased salinity and elevated temperature, consequently marine species living within their normal salinity range may be less susceptible to heavy metal pollution than those living in salinities near the lower limit of their salinity tolerance (McLusky et al., 1986).
High concentrations of mercury (Hg) in sediments have been reported by many authors (cited in Khayrallah, 1985). This is a feature which may be of direct importance for epistrate feeders such as Bathyporeia pelagica and of indirect importance for its fish and shorebird predators. Khayrallah (1985) investigated the effects of salinity and temperature on the toxicity of two mercuric compounds to Bathyporeia pilosa, which is closely related, and has a similar life-cycle to Bathyporeia pelagica (Fish & Fish, 1996). Khayrallah (1985) found the organic form (C2H5HgCl) to be more toxic than the inorganic form (HgCl) of mercury. The toxicity of both forms of Hg to Bathyporeia pilosa, was directly related to increasing concentration (range 0.04-0.75 mg/Hg/l (no sediment)) and temperature (1-20°C), and inversely related to salinity (10 & 20 psu) and age (adults were more tolerant than juveniles). The survival rate of Bathyporeia pilosa was found to be dependent on both the salinity and temperature of the medium, the effect being most pronounced in inorganic concentrations of Hg <0.09 mg/Hg /l, suggesting that the lower concentrations of Hg become important only under conditions of stress caused by some other factor. Bathyporeia pelagica is intolerant of salinity changes unlike Bathyporeia pilosa, so it is possible that Bathyporeia pelagica would be more intolerant of sub-lethal concentrations of both organic and inorganic mercury. Recovery is likely to be moderate owing to the possible persistence of contaminants in the substratum.
Intermediate Moderate Moderate Moderate
Hydrocarbon contamination [Show more]

Hydrocarbon contamination

Evidence

Amphipods have been reported to be sensitive to oil (Suchanek, 1993). After the Amoco Cadiz oil spill there was a reduction in both the number of amphipod species and the number of individuals (Cabioch et al., 1978). Initially significant mortality would be expected, attributable to toxicity and the effects of smothering, therefore intolerance has been assessed to be high. Often populations do not return to pre-spill abundances for 5 or more years, which is most likely related to the persistence of oil within sediments (Southward, 1982), and recovery has been assessed to be moderate.
High Moderate Moderate Very low
Radionuclide contamination [Show more]

Radionuclide contamination

Evidence

Insufficient
information.
No information Not relevant No information Not relevant
Changes in nutrient levels [Show more]

Changes in nutrient levels

Evidence

The sandy shore environment favoured by Bathyporeia pelagica has a characteristically low level of organic matter. As an epistrate feeder, Bathyporeia pelagica feeds upon the film of diatoms and bacteria adhering to individual sand particles. Nutrient enrichment would enhance the growth of episammic diatoms and bacteria as nutrients are probably limiting. A flourishing population of bacteria would utilize oxygen for the oxidization of the resulting organic matter, possibly causing hypoxia. Bathyporeia pelagica has been assessed to be intolerant of hypoxic conditions (see oxygenation below). Intolerance has been assessed to be high owing to the fact that an increase in nutrient levels would probably result in the species being exposed to conditions outside its habitat preferences. Recovery has been assessed to be moderate owing to the length of time it may take to return to prior conditions. For instance the normal fauna of clean sandy beaches had only partially recovered after three years after the opening of a sewage works and resultant reduction in organic enrichment in the Firth of Forth (Read et al., 1983).
High Moderate Moderate Low
Increase in salinity [Show more]

Increase in salinity

  1. A short-term, acute change; e.g., a change of two categories from the MNCR salinity scale for one week (view glossary) such as from full to reduced.
  2. A long-term, chronic change; e.g., a change of one category from the MNCR salinity scale for one year (view glossary) such as from reduced to low. Further details.

Evidence

Salinities higher than those of natural seawater are uncommon, although they could occur in surface pools of interstitial water on sand and mud flats in summer owing to surface evaporation. Bathyporeia pelagica is a stenohaline species and would be intolerant of exposure to hypersaline conditions, especially in conditions of elevated temperature. However, owing to the relatively well drained nature of the substratum populated by Bathyporeia pelagica, pooling of surface water is unlikely. In addition the species can, to some extent, avoid the factor by burrowing deeper into the sediment where changes of salinity are buffered. Therefore, intolerance has been assessed to be low. Recovery has been assessed to be high because it is unlikely that the entire population would be affected, e.g. individuals may burrow deeper into the sediment, and would rapidly attain a pre-impact population following reproduction.
High High Moderate Very low
Decrease in salinity [Show more]

Decrease in salinity

  1. A short-term, acute change; e.g., a change of two categories from the MNCR salinity scale for one week (view glossary) such as from full to reduced.
  2. A long-term, chronic change; e.g., a change of one category from the MNCR salinity scale for one year (view glossary) such as from reduced to low. Further details.

Evidence

Bathyporeia pelagica is an intertidal species restricted to the lower half of the tidal range by its intolerance to reduced salinity (Preece, 1970). An intolerance assessment of high would have been given except for the fact that as a mobile species Bathyporeia pelagica is able to migrate and avoid conditions of depressed salinity.
Salvat (1967), Fish & Preece (1970), Ladle (1975) and Fish & Fish (1978) have reported both the re-distribution of populations down the shore during spring and summer on open coasts, and the migration of Bathyporeia pelagica from sandy estuarine beaches to sites on the open coast. These authors recorded Bathyporeia pelagica in the sandy flats at the mouths of estuaries (west Wales and Northumberland) from September through to April, after which time the species disappeared, a pattern which was observed in each subsequent year. Fish & Fish (1978) concluded that the migration pattern was controlled by the combined effects of salinity and temperature, the species being better able to tolerate conditions of reduced salinity at cooler temperatures. Furthermore, although the extent of penetration by Bathyporeia pelagica into estuarine sandflats is ultimately limited by its salinity tolerance, populations that do so, are able to exploit the food resources, whether qualitative or quantitative, of the estuary. Fish & Fish (1978) found that in the population of Bathyporeia pelagica that over-wintered in the Dovey Estuary, the reproductive output was greater and specimens were larger. An intolerance assessment of low has been made, owing to the lack of evidence for mortalities arising from reduced salinities in the field and that the species is able to migrate. Recovery has been assessed to be immediate because it is unlikely that the entire population would be affected, e.g. individuals may burrow deeper into the sediment or may migrate seawards and would probably rapidly attain a pre-impact population owing to migration and reproduction.
Low Immediate Not sensitive High
Changes in oxygenation [Show more]

Changes in oxygenation

Benchmark.  Exposure to a dissolved oxygen concentration of 2 mg/l for one week. Further details.

Evidence

Brafield (1964) concluded that the most significant factor influencing the oxygenation was the drainage of the beach which, in turn, is controlled by the slope and the particle size. Oxygen depletion becomes a severe problem at all states of the tide on only the very finest grained beaches, and as a general rule, if the percentage of particles of less than 0.25 mm median diameter exceeds 10% of a sand, then the oxygen concentration of its interstitial water will be less than 20% of the air saturation level, and will drop rapidly during low tide periods. Oxygen depletion, variations in salinity and pH result in steep gradients of faunal change through the upper layers of the substrata. The infauna are generally restricted to the uppermost layers, where the interstitial water contains sufficient oxygen for the fauna, and for the oxidization of the organic waste products of the infauna and allochthonous detritus. Laboratory studies by Khayrallah (1977) on Bathyporeia pilosa, which is closely related, and has a similar life-cycle to Bathyporeia pelagica (Fish & Fish, 1996), revealed Bathyporeia pilosa to have a relatively poor resistance to conditions of hypoxia in comparison to other interstitial animals. It was also susceptible to hydrogen sulphide, supporting the conclusion that aerated deposits are a fundamental requirement of Bathyporeia pilosa and also probably Bathyporeia pelagica. It is likely, therefore, that Bathyporeia pelagica would be unable to endure hypoxic conditions for a week, that may result from smothering by impermeable/viscous materials, and intolerance has been assessed to be high.
High High Moderate Very low

Biological pressures

Use [show more] / [show less] to open/close text displayed

 IntoleranceRecoverabilitySensitivityEvidence / Confidence
Introduction of microbial pathogens/parasites [Show more]

Introduction of microbial pathogens/parasites

Benchmark. Sensitivity can only be assessed relative to a known, named disease, likely to cause partial loss of a species population or community. Further details.

Evidence

No information concerning infestation or disease related mortalities was found.
No information Not relevant No information Not relevant
Introduction of non-native species [Show more]

Introduction of non-native species

Sensitivity assessed against the likely effect of the introduction of alien or non-native species in Britain or Ireland. Further details.

Evidence

No information concerning non-native species that might affect abundance or survival of Bathyporeia pelagica was found.
No information Not relevant No information Not relevant
Extraction of this species [Show more]

Extraction of this species

Benchmark. Extraction removes 50% of the species or community from the area under consideration. Sensitivity will be assessed as 'intermediate'. The habitat remains intact or recovers rapidly. Any effects of the extraction process on the habitat itself are addressed under other factors, e.g. displacement, abrasion and physical disturbance, and substratum loss. Further details.

Evidence

Bathyporeia pelagica is not a species targeted for extraction.
Not relevant Not relevant Not relevant Not relevant
Extraction of other species [Show more]

Extraction of other species

Benchmark. A species that is a required host or prey for the species under consideration (and assuming that no alternative host exists) or a keystone species in a biotope is removed. Any effects of the extraction process on the habitat itself are addressed under other factors, e.g. displacement, abrasion and physical disturbance, and substratum loss. Further details.

Evidence

The cockle, Cerastoderma edule, is found in both muddy and clean sands, although it is frequently more abundant in the former. Specimens of marketable size may be harvested more efficiently using mechanical methods, such as tractor-powered harvesters and suction dredgers than by traditional methods. Ferns et al., (2000) examined the effects of a tractor-towed cockle harvester on the benthic invertebrates and predators of intertidal plots of muddy and clean sand. Harvesting resulted in the loss of a significant proportion of the most common invertebrates from both areas. In the muddy sand, the population of a similar species, Bathyporeia pilosa remained significantly depleted for more than 50 days, whilst the population in clean sand recovered more quickly. It is therefore likely that Bathyporeia pelagica would be similarly affected by the mechanical extraction of marketable shellfish in locations where populations co-occur. Intolerance has been assessed to be intermediate owing to the likelihood of a proportion of the population being killed and the reduced abundance of the remaining population. Recovery has been assessed to be very high owing to the likelihood of migration from other areas on the shore.
Intermediate Very high Low Moderate

Additional information

Recoverability
Bathyporeia pelagica is likely to have a high to very high capacity for recovery from many factors of disturbance. It is a widespread and common species which produces two generations within a year. In addition, as a mobile species, Bathyporeia pelagica has demonstrated an ability to avoid environmental fluctuations e.g. reduced salinity and increasing temperature, to which it is intolerant by migration (Fish & Fish, 1978; Ladle, 1975; Fish & Preece, 1970).

Importance review

Policy/legislation

- no data -

Status

Non-native

ParameterData
Native-
Origin-
Date Arrived-

Importance information

Bathyporeia pelagica, Eurydice pulchra and various polychaetes such as Arenicola marina, form an important component of the diet of shore birds such as ringed, Charadrius hiaticula and grey plovers,Pluvialis squatarola. The plovers detect and catch prey by watching for, and exploiting the brief periods of surface activity. When such activity is low the birds use foot-vibration to stimulate movement of these animals, making them visible (Pienkowski, 1983).

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Datasets

  1. Environmental Records Information Centre North East, 2018. ERIC NE Combined dataset to 2017. Occurrence dataset: http://www.ericnortheast.org.ukl accessed via NBNAtlas.org on 2018-09-38

  2. Manx Biological Recording Partnership, 2017. Isle of Man wildlife records from 01/01/2000 to 13/02/2017. Occurrence dataset: https://doi.org/10.15468/mopwow accessed via GBIF.org on 2018-10-01.

  3. National Trust, 2017. National Trust Species Records. Occurrence dataset: https://doi.org/10.15468/opc6g1 accessed via GBIF.org on 2018-10-01.

  4. NBN (National Biodiversity Network) Atlas. Available from: https://www.nbnatlas.org.

  5. OBIS (Ocean Biodiversity Information System),  2024. Global map of species distribution using gridded data. Available from: Ocean Biogeographic Information System. www.iobis.org. Accessed: 2024-03-28

  6. South East Wales Biodiversity Records Centre, 2018. SEWBReC Myriapods, Isopods, and allied species (South East Wales). Occurrence dataset: https://doi.org/10.15468/rvxsqs accessed via GBIF.org on 2018-10-02.

  7. South East Wales Biodiversity Records Centre, 2018. Dr Mary Gillham Archive Project. Occurance dataset: http://www.sewbrec.org.uk/ accessed via NBNAtlas.org on 2018-10-02

Citation

This review can be cited as:

Budd, G.C. & Curtis, L. 2007. Bathyporeia pelagica A sand digger shrimp. In Tyler-Walters H. Marine Life Information Network: Biology and Sensitivity Key Information Reviews, [on-line]. Plymouth: Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom. [cited 28-03-2024]. Available from: https://www.marlin.ac.uk/species/detail/1576

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Last Updated: 04/07/2007