Magelona mirabilis

Researched ByWill RaymentData Supplied ByMarLIN
Refereed byMike Kendall
Taxonomy
Scientific nameMagelona mirabilisCommon nameA bristleworm
MCS CodeP807Recent SynonymsMagelona papillicornis. See additional information.
PhylumAnnelidaSubphylum
SuperclassClassPolychaeta
SubclassOrderSpionida
SuborderMagelonoideaFamilyMagelonidae
GenusMagelonaSpeciesmirabilis
Subspecies  
Additional InformationMagelona papillicornis is not a true synonym. Magelona papillicornis has not changed its name and still exists off the coasts of Brazil. However, Magelona mirabilis includes the north east Atlantic animals that were once called Magelona papillicornis (M. Kendall, pers. comm.). See Jones (1977) for further taxonomic information.

For detailed notes on the identification of European Magelona sp., see Fiege et al. (2000).

Taxonomy References Hayward et al., 1996, Hayward & Ryland, 1995b, Howson & Picton, 1997, Fish & Fish, 1996, Fiege et al., 2000, Jones, 1977
General Biology
Growth formVermiform segmentedFeeding methodSurface deposit feeder
Mobility/MovementBurrowerEnvironmental positionInfaunal
Typical food typesDetritus, microalgae, small animalsHabitBurrow dwelling
BioturbatorNot researchedFlexibilityHigh (>45 degrees)
FragilityFragileSizeMedium(11-20 cm)
HeightNot relevantGrowth RateInsufficient information
Adult dispersal potential100-1000mDependencyIndependent
SociabilitySolitary
Toxic/Poisonous?No
Additional InformationAbundance
Occurs at high densities where environmental conditions are suitable. For example, Kuhl (1972) reported Magelona papillicormis at densities of 279 individuals per 0.1 m² on sandy muddy ground in the Elbe Estuary.
Feeding
Magelona mirabilis feeds by gathering organic material from the sediment surface with its palps. When feeding on poorly sorted material, selectivity may be shown in that magelonids prefer to handle larger particles. Small crustaceans may also be taken as prey, for example, the mucous on the palps may trap a few harpacticoids although this is likely to be incidental (M. Kendall, pers. comm.). In well sorted sand, selectivity may be absent as particles with a high organic content have already been concentrated by other means (Fauchald & Jumars, 1979).
Biology References Hayward et al., 1996, Hayward & Ryland, 1995b, Fish & Fish, 1996, Fiege et al., 2000, Fauchald & Jumars, 1979, Kuhl, 1972, Niermann et al., 1990
Distribution and Habitat
Distribution in Britain & IrelandExpected to occur all around the coasts of Britain and Ireland where suitable substrata occur. Recorded patchily from all British and Irish coasts.
Global distributionRecorded from North Sea coasts, the Baltic Sea, the Atlantic coast of France and the Mediterranean coast of France.
Biogeographic rangeNot researchedDepth rangeMid shore to 32 m depth
MigratoryNon-migratory / Resident
Distribution Additional Information
Substratum preferencesFine clean sand, Coarse clean sandPhysiographic preferencesOpen coast, Strait / sound, Enclosed coast / Embayment
Biological zoneLower Eulittoral, Sublittoral Fringe, Upper Infralittoral, Lower Infralittoral, Upper CircalittoralWave exposureVery Exposed, Exposed, Moderately Exposed, Sheltered
Tidal stream strength/Water flowStrong (3-6 kn), Moderately Strong (1-3 kn)SalinityVariable (18-40 psu), Full (30-40 psu)
Habitat Additional InformationNone entered
AMBI Group (Borja et al., 2000)I 
Distribution References Hayward et al., 1996, Hayward & Ryland, 1995b, Fish & Fish, 1996, Fiege et al., 2000, JNCC, 1999, Picton & Costello, 1998, Lackschewitz & Reise, 1998
Reproduction/Life History
Reproductive typeGonochoristic Developmental mechanismPlanktotrophic
Reproductive SeasonVaries with geographic location.Reproductive LocationInsufficient information
Reproductive frequencyAnnual protracted Regeneration potentialNo
Life span3-5 yearsAge at reproductive maturityInsufficient information
Generation time1-2 yearsFecundityInsufficient information
Egg/propagule sizeInsufficient informationFertilization typeExternal
Larvae/Juveniles
Larval/Juvenile dispersal potential>10kmLarval settlement periodInsufficient information
Duration of larval stageInsufficient information  
Additional InformationReproductive data concerning Magelona mirabilis is scarce (Fiege et al., 2000). The data that is available suggests that the reproductive period in Magelona mirabilis varies with geographic location and the breeding season of many polychaetes is known to vary with latitude. Fiege et al. (2000) reported males with sperm masses in St. Andrews, Scotland, in March and females with eggs in Berwick-upon-Tweed in March whilst egg bearing females in Lancieux, France, were recorded in May.
It is generally agreed that Magelona mirabilis displays characteristics typical of an r-selected species, i.e. rapid reproduction, short life span and high dispersal potential (Krönke, 1990; Niermann et al., 1990), and is characteristic of shallow, disturbed, non-successional habitats (M. Kendall, pers. comm.).
Reproduction References Hayward & Ryland, 1995b, Fish & Fish, 1996, Fiege et al., 2000, Kuhl, 1972, Probert, 1981, Bosselmann, 1989, Kröncke, 1990, Niermann et al., 1990