Ampharete falcata

Researched By	Tracy Heath	Data Supplied By	MarLIN
Refereed by	This information is not refereed.
Taxonomy
Scientific name	Ampharete falcata	Common name	A bristleworm
MCS Code	P1135	Recent Synonyms	None
Phylum	Annelida	Subphylum
Superclass		Class	Polychaeta
Subclass		Order	Terebellida
Suborder		Family	Ampharetidae
Genus	Ampharete	Species	falcata
Subspecies
Additional Information
Taxonomy References	Howson & Picton, 1997, Hayward et al., 1996, Holthe, 1986, Rouse & Pleijel, 2001, Fauchald, 1977, Hayward & Ryland, 1995b
General Biology
Growth form	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	Insufficient information	Habit	Tubiculous
Bioturbator	Not researched	Flexibility	High (>45 degrees)
Fragility	Fragile	Size	Small(1-2cm)
Height	Not researched	Growth Rate	Insufficient information
Adult dispersal potential	100-1000m	Dependency	Independent
Sociability	Solitary
Toxic/Poisonous?	No
Additional Information	Feeds by extending its tentacles across the sediment surface. Mucus secreted by the tentacles traps food which is then carried back to the mouth. Branchiae are used for gas exchange.
Biology References	Holthe, 1986, Rouse & Pleijel, 2001, Fauchald, 1977, Hayward & Ryland, 1995b
Distribution and Habitat
Distribution in Britain & Ireland	Recorded from Orkney, North Sea, Southampton Water, Isles of Scilly, Celtic Sea, the Irish Sea and the west coast of Scotland. Also recorded on the north east coast of Ireland.
Global distribution	Recorded solely from British and Irish coasts though may be underrecorded elsewhere.
Biogeographic range	Not researched	Depth range
Migratory	Non-migratory / Resident
Distribution Additional Information	Lives mainly in soft sand at depths of between 30-90 m. Can live in fragile tubes of sand or mud attached to solid objects or lying across the sea bed.
Substratum preferences	Fine clean sand, Sandy mud, Muddy sand	Physiographic preferences	Offshore seabed
Biological zone		Wave exposure	Ultra Sheltered
Tidal stream strength/Water flow		Salinity
Habitat Additional Information	None entered
AMBI Group (Borja et al., 2000)	II
Distribution References	Hayward et al., 1996, Rouse & Pleijel, 2001, Hayward & Ryland, 1995b, Mackie et al., 1995, Foster-Smith, 2000
Reproduction/Life History
Reproductive type	Gonochoristic	Developmental mechanism	Direct Development
Reproductive Season	September - December	Reproductive Location	Insufficient information
Reproductive frequency	Semelparous	Regeneration potential	No
Life span	3-5 years	Age at reproductive maturity	3-5 years
Generation time	Insufficient information	Fecundity
Egg/propagule size		Fertilization type	Insufficient information
Larvae/Juveniles Larval/Juvenile dispersal potential Very limited (<1m) Larval settlement period Insufficient information Duration of larval stage
Additional Information	None entered
Reproduction References