BIOTIC Species Information for Scoloplos armiger
Researched byLizzie Tyler Data supplied byUniversity of Sheffield
Refereed byThis information is not refereed.
Taxonomy
Scientific nameScoloplos armiger Common nameA polychaete worm
MCS CodeP672 Recent SynonymsNone

PhylumAnnelida Subphylum
Superclass ClassPolychaeta
Subclass OrderOrbiniida
Suborder FamilyOrbiniidae
GenusScoloplos Speciesarmiger
Subspecies   

Additional InformationNone entered
Taxonomy References Fish & Fish, 1996, Hayward et al., 1996, Hayward & Ryland, 1995b, Fauchald, 1977,
General Biology
Growth formVermiform segmented
Feeding methodSurface deposit feeder
Sub-surface deposit feeder
Mobility/MovementBurrower
Environmental positionInfaunal
Typical food typesInsufficient information HabitBurrow dwelling
BioturbatorDiffusive mixing FlexibilityHigh (>45 degrees)
FragilityFragile SizeMedium(11-20 cm)
HeightNot relevant Growth RateInsufficient information
Adult dispersal potential100-1000m DependencyIndependent
SociabilitySolitary
Toxic/Poisonous?No
General Biology Additional InformationGibbs (1968) described the worm as 'extremely fragile'. Up to 12 cm in length (Fish & Fish, 1996). Worms roam through burrow system down to 15 cm depth. Do not usually appear at sediment surface (Kruse et al., 2004).
Biology References Kruse et al., 2003, Kruse et al., 2004, Gibbs, 1968, Hayward & Ryland, 1990, Julie Bremner, unpub data,
Distribution and Habitat
Distribution in Britain & IrelandWidely distributed in NW Europe and Britain on lower shore and in sublittoral (Fish & Fish, 1996),
Global distributionFound from the Arctic and north west Europe to the Indian Ocean, the Pacific and the Antarctic.
Biogeographic rangeNot researched Depth range
MigratoryNon-migratory / Resident   
Distribution Additional InformationNone entered

Substratum preferencesCoarse clean sand
Fine clean sand
Muddy sand
Physiographic preferences
Biological zone Wave exposure
Tidal stream strength/Water flow Salinity
Habitat Preferences Additional InformationNone entered
Distribution References Fish & Fish, 1996, Hayward et al., 1996, Hayward & Ryland, 1995b, Rasmussen, 1973, Hayward & Ryland, 1990, Julie Bremner, unpub data,
Reproduction/Life History
Reproductive typeGonochoristic
Developmental mechanismLecithotrophic
Direct Development
Reproductive SeasonInsufficient information Reproductive LocationSee additional information
Reproductive frequencyAnnual episodic Regeneration potential No
Life span3-5 years Age at reproductive maturity1-2 years
Generation timeInsufficient information Fecundity
Egg/propagule size Fertilization typeInsufficient information
Larvae/Juveniles
Larval/Juvenile dispersal potentialSee additional information Larval settlement periodInsufficient information
Duration of larval stage11-30 days   
Reproduction Preferences Additional InformationTwo types of development reported. A holobenthic type that crawls out from a cocoon fixed on the substrate and burrows immediately, usually associated with intertidal populations in North Sea region and adjacent waters and a pelagic larvae associated with subtidal populations (Kruse et al., 2003; Kruse et al., 2004). In Isle of Sylt, North Sea, egg cocoons found on intertidal flats between Feb-April (Kruse et al., 2004). Spawning varies with location. In North Sea, main spawn March, secondary (pelagic) spawn from offshore in Oct (Kruse et al., 2004). At Whitstable, spawned four times in one year, main late Feb-April (Gibbs, 1968). 600-1920 / m² Oosterschelde (Coosen et al., 1994), 800 / m² at Whitstable (Gibbs, 1968).
Reproduction References Kruse et al., 2003, Kruse et al., 2004, Coosen et al., 1994, Gibbs, 1968, Eckert, 2003, Julie Bremner, unpub data, Bartolomaeus, 1998,
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