Nephtys cirrosa

Researched By	Lizzie Tyler	Data Supplied By	University of Sheffield
Refereed by	This information is not refereed.
Taxonomy
Scientific name	Nephtys cirrosa	Common name	White catworm
MCS Code	P498	Recent Synonyms	None
Phylum	Annelida	Subphylum
Superclass		Class	Polychaeta
Subclass		Order	Phyllodocida
Suborder		Family	Nephtyidae
Genus	Nephtys	Species	cirrosa
Subspecies
Additional Information	The different species of Nephtyidae are difficult to identify, requiring detailed examination of the parapoda and chaetae. Reference to Rainer (1991) is recommended.
Taxonomy References	Hayward & Ryland, 1995b, Hayward et al., 1996, Fauchald, 1977, Rainer, 1991
General Biology
Growth form	Vermiform segmented	Feeding method	Predator, Scavenger
Mobility/Movement	Swimmer, Crawler, Burrower	Environmental position	Infaunal
Typical food types	Molluscs, crustaceans & other polychaetes.	Habit	Burrow dwelling
Bioturbator	Diffusive mixing	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	None entered
Biology References	Hayward & Ryland, 1990, Heidi Tillin, unpub data, Julie Bremner, unpub data
Distribution and Habitat
Distribution in Britain & Ireland	Found throughout the British Isles, where it nears the northern limit of its distribution. Four species of Nephtys (%Nephtys caeca%, Nephtys cirrosa, %Nephtys hombergii% and %Nephtys longosetosa%) occur intertidally in the Brit
Global distribution	Nephtys cirrosa reaches its northern limit in Scotland, and German Bight of the North Sea. The species is found in the Mediterranean.
Biogeographic range	Not researched	Depth range
Migratory	Non-migratory / Resident
Distribution Additional Information	None entered
Substratum preferences	Coarse clean sand, Sandy mud	Physiographic preferences	Open coast, Estuary, Enclosed coast / Embayment
Biological zone	Mid Eulittoral, Lower Eulittoral, Sublittoral Fringe	Wave exposure
Tidal stream strength/Water flow		Salinity
Habitat Additional Information	None entered
AMBI Group (Borja et al., 2000)	II
Distribution References	Brafield, 1978, JNCC, 1999, Picton & Costello, 1998, Bruce et al., 1963, Olive & Morgan, 1991, Clark & Haderlie, 1960, Eleftheriou & McIntyre, 1976, Wolff, 1971, Hayward & Ryland, 1990, Julie Bremner, unpub data
Reproduction/Life History
Reproductive type		Developmental mechanism
Reproductive Season	Insufficient information	Reproductive Location	Insufficient information
Reproductive frequency		Regeneration potential	No
Life span	Insufficient information	Age at reproductive maturity
Generation time	Insufficient 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	None entered
Reproduction References	Olive & Morgan, 1991, Heidi Tillin, unpub data, Julie Bremner, unpub data