BIOTIC Species Information for Buccinum undatum
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| Researched by | Lizzie Tyler | Data supplied by | University of Sheffield | ||||||||||||
| Refereed by | This information is not refereed. | ||||||||||||||
| Taxonomy | |||||||||||||||
| Scientific name | Buccinum undatum | Common name | Common whelk | ||||||||||||
| MCS Code | W708 | Recent Synonyms | |||||||||||||
| Phylum | Mollusca | Subphylum | |||||||||||||
| Superclass | Class | Gastropoda | |||||||||||||
| Subclass | Prosobranchia | Order | Neogastropoda | ||||||||||||
| Suborder | Family | Buccinidae | |||||||||||||
| Genus | Buccinum | Species | undatum | ||||||||||||
| Subspecies | |||||||||||||||
| Additional Information | |||||||||||||||
| Taxonomy References | Hayward et al., 1996, Fish & Fish, 1996, Howson & Picton, 1997, Hayward & Ryland, 1995b, | ||||||||||||||
| General Biology | |||||||||||||||
| Growth form | Turbinate |
Feeding method | Predator Scavenger |
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| Mobility/Movement | Crawler Burrower |
Environmental position | Epifaunal Epibenthic |
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| Typical food types | Carrion as well as bivalves and certain polychaetes | Habit | Free living | ||||||||||||
| Bioturbator | Not relevant | Flexibility | None (< 10 degrees) | ||||||||||||
| Fragility | Robust | Size | Small-medium(3-10cm) | ||||||||||||
| Height | Not researched | Growth Rate | Not researched | ||||||||||||
| Adult dispersal potential | 1km-10km | Dependency | Independent | ||||||||||||
| Sociability | Solitary | ||||||||||||||
| Toxic/Poisonous? | No | ||||||||||||||
| General Biology Additional Information | |||||||||||||||
| Biology References | Hayward & Ryland, 1995b, Seaward, 1982, Christensen, 1980, Graham, 1988, Philippart, 1998, Valentinsson et al., 1999, Hancock, 1963, Himmelman & Hamel, 1993, Darkin, 1912, Hancock, 1960, Ramsay & Kaiser, 1998, Neilsen, 1975, Taylor, 1978, Martel et al., 1986, Hayward & Ryland, 1990, Julie Bremner, unpub data, | ||||||||||||||
| Distribution and Habitat | |||||||||||||||
| Distribution in Britain & Ireland | Found on most British and Irish coasts except the Isles of Scilly. | ||||||||||||||
| Global distribution | Found in north-west Europe from Poland, Norway and Iceland to the Azores and in the American north Atlantic off the coasts of Canada. | ||||||||||||||
| Biogeographic range | Cold temperate to temperate. | Depth range | 0 - 1200 m | ||||||||||||
| Migratory | Non-migratory / Resident | ||||||||||||||
| Distribution Additional Information | |||||||||||||||
| Substratum preferences | Algae Bedrock Large to very large boulders Small boulders Muddy gravel Coarse clean sand Fine clean sand Muddy sand |
Physiographic preferences | Open coast Offshore seabed Strait / sound Sealoch Ria / Voe Estuary Enclosed coast / Embayment |
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| Biological zone | Lower Eulittoral Sublittoral Fringe Upper Infralittoral Lower Infralittoral Upper Circalittoral Lower Circalittoral Circalittoral Offshore Bathybenthic (Bathyal) |
Wave exposure | Field unresearched |
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| Tidal stream strength/Water flow | Field unresearched |
Salinity | Full (30-40 psu) Variable (18-40 psu) Reduced (18-30 psu) |
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| Habitat Preferences Additional Information | |||||||||||||||
| Distribution References | Hayward et al., 1996, Fish & Fish, 1996, Picton & Costello, 1998, Mackie et al., 1995, Bruce et al., 1963, Hayward & Ryland, 1995b, Seaward, 1982, Christensen, 1980, Valentinsson et al., 1999, Hancock, 1963, Darkin, 1912, Hayward & Ryland, 1990, Julie Bremner, unpub data, | ||||||||||||||
| Reproduction/Life History | |||||||||||||||
| Reproductive type | Gonochoristic Permanent hermaphrodite |
Developmental mechanism | Direct Development |
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| Reproductive Season | October to May | Reproductive Location | As adult | ||||||||||||
| Reproductive frequency | Annual protracted | Regeneration potential | No | ||||||||||||
| Life span | 11-20 years | Age at reproductive maturity | 6-10 years | ||||||||||||
| Generation time | Not researched | Fecundity | 11500 | ||||||||||||
| Egg/propagule size | 250 µm diameter | Fertilization type | Internal | ||||||||||||
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| Reproduction Preferences Additional Information | |||||||||||||||
| Reproduction References | Hayward & Ryland, 1995b, Seaward, 1982, Graham, 1988, Himmelman & Hamel, 1993, Darkin, 1912, Martel et al., 1986, Poloczanska & Ansell, 1999, Julie Bremner, unpub data, | ||||||||||||||
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