Neocrania anomala

Researched By	Lizzie Tyler	Data Supplied By	University of Sheffield
Refereed by	This information is not refereed.
Taxonomy
Scientific name	Neocrania anomala	Common name	A brachiopod
MCS Code	X7	Recent Synonyms	Crania anomala
Phylum	Brachiopoda	Subphylum
Superclass		Class	Inarticulata
Subclass		Order	Acrotretida
Suborder		Family	Craniidae
Genus	Novocrania	Species	anomala
Subspecies
Additional Information	Unusually for the inarticulate brachiopods, the shell contains calcium carbonate. In brachiopods the valves of the shell are dorso-ventral, whereas in bivlave molluscs the valves are lateral.
Taxonomy References	Brunton & Curry, 1979, Howson & Picton, 1997, James et al., 1992, Rowell, 1960
General Biology
Growth form	Bivalved	Feeding method	Passive suspension feeder, Active suspension feeder
Mobility/Movement	Permanent attachment	Environmental position	Epifaunal
Typical food types	Seston	Habit	Attached
Bioturbator	Not relevant	Flexibility	None (< 10 degrees)
Fragility	Intermediate	Size	Small(1-2cm)
Height	Not researched	Growth Rate	Insufficient information
Adult dispersal potential	Not researched	Dependency	Independent
Sociability	Solitary
Toxic/Poisonous?	No
Additional Information	The lophophore forms the main feeding organ. Mucus is not used in particle capture, only for transport. Neocrania anomala exhibits some degree of particle selectivity. There is a complex mechanism for particle rejection. There is little information on growth rate except that it is believed to be represented by an exponentially declining curve but dependent on depth, food, population density etc. Growth after the first year is slow. Four or five year classes can be identified. Neocrania anomala is capable of recovery from considerable damage to the shell and soft tissue. The adults can be maintained quite well in aquaria and are generally hardy organisms.
Biology References	Brunton & Curry, 1979, James et al., 1992, Atkins & Rudwick, 1962, Harper, 1991
Distribution and Habitat
Distribution in Britain & Ireland	From the Firth of Clyde up the west coast of Scotland including the Hebrides, Shetland, the south coast of England and the Isle of Man. In Ireland along the south coast, the north-west and the north-east.
Global distribution	From the Canary Isles, the Britain Isles, the Faeroe Isles, Norway, Iceland and Spitzbergen.
Biogeographic range	Not researched	Depth range
Migratory	Non-migratory / Resident
Distribution Additional Information	Absent from the Irish Sea and from the east coast of Britain.
Substratum preferences	Other species (see additional information), Bedrock, Large to very large boulders, Small boulders	Physiographic preferences	Open coast, Offshore seabed, Sealoch
Biological zone	Lower Infralittoral, Upper Circalittoral, Lower Circalittoral	Wave exposure	Moderately Exposed, Sheltered, Very Sheltered, Extremely Sheltered, Ultra Sheltered
Tidal stream strength/Water flow	Moderately Strong (1-3 kn), Weak (<1 kn), Very Weak (negligible)	Salinity	Full (30-40 psu)
Habitat Additional Information	Can often be found living on Modiolus sp. or empty scallop shells.
Distribution References	Brunton & Curry, 1979, James et al., 1992, Atkins & Rudwick, 1962, Harper, 1991, Rowell, 1960
Reproduction/Life History
Reproductive type	Gonochoristic	Developmental mechanism	Lecithotrophic
Reproductive Season	April to November	Reproductive Location	Water column
Reproductive frequency	Annual protracted	Regeneration potential	No
Life span	6-10 years	Age at reproductive maturity
Generation time	Insufficient information	Fecundity
Egg/propagule size	122.5 µm diameter	Fertilization type	External
Larvae/Juveniles Larval/Juvenile dispersal potential 100-1000m Larval settlement period Insufficient information Duration of larval stage 2-10 days
Additional Information	Longevity is suspected to be between 8-10 years. There is no obvious sexual dimorphism although the colour of the gonads may be distinguishing. Testes are light coloured white, pink, cream or blue and ovaries are orange-brown. Egg diameter is 120-125 microns. The species is free-spawning and fertilization is external in the surrounding water column. The eggs are more dense than seawater hatching into a free-swimming larval stage. The larvae are fully developed within three days and settle out in no more than a few days. Most of the literature suggests that dispersal ability is not great. Although the species may inhabit areas with water flow rates of up to 3 knots, the often restricted and sheltered habitat such as sea lochs may reduce dispersal ability. The breeding season in western Scotland has been inferred from the presence of recently settled juveniles. The larva may be able to delay settlement if the initial substratum is unsuitable or the water is too deep.
Reproduction References	James et al., 1992, Rowell, 1960, Long & Stricker, 1991