Sabellaria alveolata
Honeycomb worm[1] | |
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Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Annelida |
Clade: | Pleistoannelida |
Clade: | Sedentaria |
Family: | Sabellariidae |
Genus: | Sabellaria |
Species: | S. alveolata
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Binomial name | |
Sabellaria alveolata |
Sabellaria alveolata, (also known as the honeycomb worm), is a reef-forming polychaete. It is distributed around the Mediterranean Sea, and from the north Atlantic Ocean to south Morocco. It is also found in the British Isles at its northern limit in the northeast Atlantic.[2] Its common name is derived from the honeycomb-like pattern it creates when building its tube reefs.
Description
Sabellaria alveolata is an
Distribution
Sabellaria alveolata is found in the Mediterranean and the north Atlantic from Britain south to Morocco. In Britain and Ireland it is mainly found in inter-tidal zones along southern and western coasts from the
Habitat and ecology
Sabellaria alveolata occurs on the bottom third or so of the intertidal zone and in the shallow subtidal zone. The worms construct different types of structures depending on the conditions. Where it occurs along rocky shorelines among bladderwrack then the agglomeration of tubes vary from thin encrustations if they are present at low densities to dense hummocks and mounds where there is a high density. The tubes are built from shell fragments or sand and are used to protect the worm from predators and can be repaired if damaged near the entrance. The tube is made up of a number of overlapping layers of material glued together with mucus. There are two sexes and spawning takes place in the spring and again in the autumn. The larvae develop in the water column and can detect the substance the adults use to bind their tubes and follow this to find a location to settle on. They are filter feeders and use cilia covered tentacles to extract food from the water. The reefs that they build encourage biodiversity.[7]
Conservation
Sabellaria alveolata is a UK
References
- ^ Gérard Bellan (2011). Read G, Fauchald K (eds.). "Sabellaria alveolata (Linnaeus, 1767)". World Polychaeta database. World Register of Marine Species. Retrieved December 6, 2011.
- ^ a b c d e "Honeycomb worm". Grzimek's Animal Life Encyclopedia. Gale. 2003. Retrieved 2009-08-01.
- ^ a b Moffat A (1999). "Action plan for Sabellaria alveolata reefs". United Kingdom Biodiversity Action Plan. Retrieved 2009-08-05.
- ^ Hermelles
- ^ Jackson, A. (2008). Tyler-Walters H.; Hiscock K. (eds.). "Sabellaria alveolata Honeycomb worm". Marine Life Information Network: Biology and Sensitivity Key Information Reviews, [on-line]. Plymouth. Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom. Retrieved 2 March 2020.
- ^ "Wicklow Reef SAC - Site Synopsis" (PDF). National Parks and Wildlife Service. Retrieved 14 May 2022.
- ^ a b "Honeycomb Worm Biology". The REEHAB Project. Retrieved 25 March 2020.
- ^ "Newry, Mourne and Down Local Biodiversity Action Plan 2017-2022" (PDF). Newry, Mourne and Down District Council. Retrieved 25 March 2020.
- ^ "Habitats and species of principal importance in England". Joint Nature Conservation Committee. 17 October 2019. Retrieved 5 September 2021.