Spio martinensis

Researched By	Dan Bayley	Data Supplied By	MBA
Refereed by	This information is not refereed.
Taxonomy
Scientific name	Spio martinensis	Common name	A bristleworm
MCS Code	P791	Recent Synonyms
Phylum	Annelida	Subphylum
Superclass		Class	Polychaeta
Subclass	canalipalpata	Order	Spionida
Suborder		Family	Spionidae
Genus	Spio	Species	martinensis
Subspecies
Additional Information
Taxonomy References	Howson & Picton, 1997, Hayward & Ryland, 1995b
General Biology
Growth form	Vermiform segmented	Feeding method	Surface deposit feeder, Detritivore
Mobility/Movement	Burrower	Environmental position	Infaunal
Typical food types	Detritus	Habit	Tubiculous
Bioturbator		Flexibility
Fragility	Fragile	Size	Small-medium(3-10cm)
Height		Growth Rate
Adult dispersal potential		Dependency	Independent
Sociability	Solitary
Toxic/Poisonous?	No
Additional Information
Biology References	Hayward & Ryland, 1990, , Giangrande, 1997
Distribution and Habitat
Distribution in Britain & Ireland
Global distribution	Atlantic
Biogeographic range	Temperate	Depth range
Migratory	Non-migratory / Resident
Distribution Additional Information
Substratum preferences	Coarse clean sand, Fine clean sand, Sandy mud	Physiographic preferences
Biological zone	Upper Infralittoral, Lower Infralittoral	Wave exposure
Tidal stream strength/Water flow		Salinity
Habitat Additional Information
AMBI Group (Borja et al., 2000)	III
Distribution References	Hayward & Ryland, 1995b, Giangrande, 1997
Reproduction/Life History
Reproductive type	Gonochoristic	Developmental mechanism	Planktotrophic
Reproductive Season	April - June, July - September.	Reproductive Location	Adult burrow
Reproductive frequency	Monotelic	Regeneration potential	No
Life span	1 year	Age at reproductive maturity	<1 year
Generation time	<1 year	Fecundity	up to 4400 (over 2 spawning periods)
Egg/propagule size	130-150 µm diameter	Fertilization type	External
Larvae/Juveniles Larval/Juvenile dispersal potential Larval settlement period Duration of larval stage
Additional Information	After intratubular brooding, the larvae emerge and become planktotrophic, remaining pelagic from 0-3 setiger, and benthic from 3-30 setiger range development.
Reproduction References	Giangrande, 1997, Gudmundsson, 1985