Spiophanes bombyx

Researched By	Lizzie Tyler	Data Supplied By	University of Sheffield
Refereed by	This information is not refereed.
Taxonomy
Scientific name	Spiophanes bombyx	Common name	Bee spionid
MCS Code	P794	Recent Synonyms	None
Phylum	Annelida	Subphylum
Superclass		Class	Polychaeta
Subclass		Order	Spionida
Suborder		Family	Spionidae
Genus	Spiophanes	Species	bombyx
Subspecies
Additional Information	None entered
Taxonomy References	Maurer & Lethem, 1980, Hayward & Ryland, 1995b, Hayward et al., 1996, Hayward & Ryland, 1990, Howson & Picton, 1997
General Biology
Growth form	Tubicolous, Vermiform segmented	Feeding method	Passive suspension feeder, Active suspension feeder, Surface deposit feeder, Sub-surface deposit feeder
Mobility/Movement	Burrower	Environmental position	Infaunal
Typical food types	Sediment particles, planktonic organisms, meiobenthic organisms (Dauer et al., 1981).	Habit	Burrow dwelling
Bioturbator	Not researched	Flexibility	High (>45 degrees)
Fragility	Fragile	Size	Small-medium(3-10cm)
Height	Not relevant	Growth Rate	Insufficient information
Adult dispersal potential	100-1000m	Dependency	Independent
Sociability	Solitary
Toxic/Poisonous?	No
Additional Information	Feeding During suspension feeding captured particles are accumulated in a ciliated groove before being transported to the pharynx, this is termed 'basal' food groove accumulation behaviour (Dauer et al., 1981). Spiophanes bombyx is thought to be the only spionid that displays this unique behaviour.
Biology References	Dauer et al., 1981, Hayward & Ryland, 1990, Heidi Tillin, unpub data, Julie Bremner, unpub data
Distribution and Habitat
Distribution in Britain & Ireland	Spiophanes bombyx is found off most British coasts.
Global distribution	Spiophanes bombyx is found in the north-east Atlantic, Mediterranean and north Pacific.
Biogeographic range	Not researched	Depth range
Migratory	Non-migratory / Resident
Distribution Additional Information	None entered
Substratum preferences	Fine clean sand, Sandy mud	Physiographic preferences	Open coast, Strait / sound, Estuary, Enclosed coast / Embayment, Sealoch
Biological zone	Lower Eulittoral, Sublittoral Fringe, Upper Infralittoral, Lower Infralittoral	Wave exposure	Sheltered, Very Sheltered, Extremely Sheltered, Ultra Sheltered
Tidal stream strength/Water flow	Moderately Strong (1-3 kn), Weak (<1 kn)	Salinity	Variable (18-40 psu), Full (30-40 psu)
Habitat Additional Information	None entered
AMBI Group (Borja et al., 2000)	III
Distribution References	Maurer & Lethem, 1980, Hayward & Ryland, 1995b, Hayward et al., 1996, Bailey-Brook, 1976, Thorson, 1946, Hayward & Ryland, 1990, Gage, 1972, JNCC, 1999, NBN, 2002, Hayward & Ryland, 1995b, Julie Bremner, unpub data
Reproduction/Life History
Reproductive type	Gonochoristic	Developmental mechanism	Planktotrophic
Reproductive Season	Insufficient information	Reproductive Location	Insufficient information
Reproductive frequency	Annual protracted	Regeneration potential	No
Life span	See additional information	Age at reproductive maturity
Generation time	See additional information	Fecundity
Egg/propagule size		Fertilization type	Insufficient information
Larvae/Juveniles Larval/Juvenile dispersal potential Insufficient information Larval settlement period Insufficient information Duration of larval stage
Additional Information	Reproduction Spiophanes bombyx is regarded as a typical 'r' selecting species with a short life span, high dispersal potential and high reproductive rate (Kröncke, 1990; Niermann et al., 1990). It is often found at the early successional stages of variable, unstable habitats that it is quick to colonize following perturbation (Pearson & Rosenberg, 1978). Its larval dispersal phase may allow the species to colonize remote habitats.
Reproduction References	Thorson, 1946, Kröncke, 1990, Pearson & Rosenberg, 1978, Niermann et al., 1990, Eckert, 2003, Heidi Tillin, unpub data