Sabellaria spinulosa

Researched By	Lizzie Tyler	Data Supplied By	University of Sheffield
Refereed by	This information is not refereed.
Taxonomy
Scientific name	Sabellaria spinulosa	Common name	Ross worm
MCS Code	P1117	Recent Synonyms	None
Phylum	Annelida	Subphylum
Superclass		Class	Polychaeta
Subclass		Order	Terebellida
Suborder		Family	Sabellariidae
Genus	Sabellaria	Species	spinulosa
Subspecies
Additional Information	At low densities, the tubes are attached to the substratum along the entire length but at greater densities competition for space results in the tubes overlapping and may cause the tubes to be built outwards, away from the substratum.
Taxonomy References	Howson & Picton, 1997, Hayward & Ryland, 1995b, English Nature, 1998
General Biology
Growth form	Tubicolous, Vermiform segmented	Feeding method	Passive suspension feeder, Active suspension feeder
Mobility/Movement	Permanent attachment	Environmental position	Epifaunal
Typical food types	Phytoplankton	Habit	Tubiculous
Bioturbator	Not relevant	Flexibility	None (< 10 degrees)
Fragility	Intermediate	Size	Small-medium(3-10cm)
Height	2-3 cm	Growth Rate	Field unresearched
Adult dispersal potential	None	Dependency	Independent
Sociability	Gregarious
Toxic/Poisonous?	No
Additional Information	Can be found in very high densities, for example when forming a reef. Typically found in lower densities as a crust or as individuals. At the Bristol Channel location studied by George & Warwick (1986), densities in excess of 4,000/m² for loosely aggregated Sabellaria spinulosa were recorded whilst the area sampled by Hiscock & Rostron (unpublished) on a level hard substratum had a single layer crust with 9,561 individual Sabellaria spinulosa in 1.4m². There has been considerable concern about decline in Sabellaria spinulosa reefs and shrimp fisheries have been implicated in the decline. However, Vorberg (2000) could find no damage caused after experiments with shrimp trawls in the Wadden Sea and suggests that declines might be more associated with changing patterns of currents perhaps associated with construction, dredging and dumping.
Biology References	Hayward & Ryland, 1995b, English Nature, 1998, George & Warwick, 1985, Vorberg, 2000, Holt et al., 1998, Hayward & Ryland, 1995b, Heidi Tillin, unpub data, Julie Bremner, unpub data, Rees & Dare, 1993
Distribution and Habitat
Distribution in Britain & Ireland	All British and Irish coasts
Global distribution	Arctic, North Sea, Channel, Atlantic
Biogeographic range	Not researched	Depth range
Migratory	Non-migratory / Resident
Distribution Additional Information	None entered
Substratum preferences	Bedrock, Large to very large boulders, Small boulders, Cobbles	Physiographic preferences	Open coast, Offshore seabed
Biological zone	Upper Infralittoral, Lower Infralittoral	Wave exposure	Very Exposed, Exposed, Moderately Exposed
Tidal stream strength/Water flow	Strong (3-6 kn), Moderately Strong (1-3 kn)	Salinity
Habitat Additional Information	Often settles on Pecten maximus and Buccinum undatum and occasionally on Chlamys opercularis. Has strong settlement preference for tubes or sites currently or previously used by the species.
AMBI Group (Borja et al., 2000)	I
Distribution References	Hayward & Ryland, 1995b, Hayward et al., 1996, Holt et al., 1998, Hayward & Ryland, 1995b, Julie Bremner, unpub data
Reproduction/Life History
Reproductive type	Gonochoristic	Developmental mechanism	Planktotrophic
Reproductive Season	January to March	Reproductive Location	Insufficient information
Reproductive frequency	Annual protracted	Regeneration potential	No
Life span	3-5 years	Age at reproductive maturity
Generation time	Insufficient information	Fecundity	100,000 to 1 million eggs
Egg/propagule size		Fertilization type	Insufficient information
Larvae/Juveniles Larval/Juvenile dispersal potential >10km Larval settlement period March Duration of larval stage 1-2 months
Additional Information	Wilson (1970b) stated that the larvae spend between six weeks and two months in the plankton. Reproductive seasonality is unclear but George & Warwick (1985) and Wilson (1970) have both reported larval settlement in March in the Bristol Channel and Plymouth areas respectively. Wilson (1970) found a spawning period from January to March in Plymouth. Possibly has similar lifespan to Sabellaria alveolata (up to 9 years). Fecundity and recruitment may be variable (Holt et al., 1998) but may be similar to Sabellaria alveolata.
Reproduction References	Wilson, 1970(b), George & Warwick, 1985, Holt et al., 1998, Heidi Tillin, unpub data, Julie Bremner, unpub data, Gruet & Lassus, 1983, Giangrande, 1997