Chaetopterus variopedatus

Researched By	Lizzie Tyler	Data Supplied By	University of Sheffield
Refereed by	This information is not refereed.
Taxonomy
Scientific name	Chaetopterus variopedatus	Common name	Parchment worm
MCS Code	P814	Recent Synonyms	None
Phylum	Annelida	Subphylum
Superclass		Class	Polychaeta
Subclass		Order	Spionida
Suborder		Family	Chaetopteridae
Genus	Chaetopterus	Species	variopedatus
Subspecies
Additional Information	None entered
Taxonomy References	Howson & Picton, 1997, Fish & Fish, 1996, Hayward et al., 1996, Hayward & Ryland, 1995b
General Biology
Growth form	Vermiform segmented	Feeding method	Passive suspension feeder, Active suspension feeder
Mobility/Movement	Burrower	Environmental position	Epifaunal, Infaunal
Typical food types	Suspended organic particulates	Habit	Tubiculous
Bioturbator	Not relevant	Flexibility	High (>45 degrees)
Fragility	Fragile	Size	Medium-large(21-50cm)
Height		Growth Rate	Insufficient information
Adult dispersal potential	Very limited (<1m)	Dependency	Independent
Sociability	Solitary
Toxic/Poisonous?	No
Additional Information	The adult worm is up to 25 cm in length and lives in tough, permanent, U-shaped tubes up to 30 cm in length.
Biology References	Hayward & Ryland, 1995b, Julie Bremner, unpub data
Distribution and Habitat
Distribution in Britain & Ireland	Widely distributed around British coasts, but not recorded on the east coast of England south of the Tees estuary.
Global distribution	Cosmopolitan.
Biogeographic range	Not researched	Depth range
Migratory	Non-migratory / Resident
Distribution Additional Information	Non entered
Substratum preferences	Crevices / fissures, Muddy gravel, Under boulders, Bedrock, Gravel / shingle, Cobbles, Pebbles, Muddy sand, Coarse clean sand, Fine clean sand	Physiographic preferences	Enclosed coast / Embayment, Open coast, Strait / sound
Biological zone	Lower Infralittoral, Lower Circalittoral, Upper Circalittoral	Wave exposure	Exposed, Moderately Exposed, Very Exposed, Very Sheltered, Sheltered
Tidal stream strength/Water flow	Very Weak (negligible), Weak (<1 kn), Moderately Strong (1-3 kn), Strong (3-6 kn)	Salinity	Full (30-40 psu)
Habitat Additional Information	None entered
AMBI Group (Borja et al., 2000)	I
Distribution References	Fish & Fish, 1996, Hayward et al., 1996, Hayward & Ryland, 1995b, Bruce et al., 1963, Foster-Smith, 2000, JNCC, 1999, Picton & Costello, 1998, 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 episodic	Regeneration potential	No
Life span	Insufficient information	Age at reproductive maturity
Generation time	Insufficient information	Fecundity
Egg/propagule size		Fertilization type	External
Larvae/Juveniles Larval/Juvenile dispersal potential Insufficient information Larval settlement period Insufficient information Duration of larval stage 11-30 days
Additional Information	Thorson (1946) reported that three weeks after metamorphosis the larvae had secreted a tube within which the animal resided. It is expected that the pelagic stage is rather short.
Reproduction References	Thorson, 1946, Julie Bremner, unpub data