Malacoceros fuliginosus

Researched By	Dan Bayley	Data Supplied By	MBA
Refereed by	This information is not refereed.
Taxonomy
Scientific name	Malacoceros fuliginosus	Common name	A bristleworm
MCS Code	P737	Recent Synonyms
Phylum	Annelida	Subphylum
Superclass		Class	Polychaeta
Subclass	canalipalpata	Order	Spionida
Suborder		Family	Spionidae
Genus	Malacoceros	Species	fuliginosus
Subspecies
Additional Information
Taxonomy References	Howson & Picton, 1997, Hayward & Ryland, 1995b
General Biology
Growth form	Vermiform segmented	Feeding method
Mobility/Movement	Burrower, Swimmer	Environmental position	Infaunal
Typical food types		Habit
Bioturbator		Flexibility
Fragility		Size	Small-medium(3-10cm)
Height		Growth Rate
Adult dispersal potential		Dependency
Sociability	Gregarious
Toxic/Poisonous?	No
Additional Information
Biology References	Hayward & Ryland, 1990, , Giangrande, 1997
Distribution and Habitat
Distribution in Britain & Ireland	All Great Britain
Global distribution	North-East Atlantic and Mediterranean
Biogeographic range	Temperate	Depth range
Migratory	Non-migratory / Resident
Distribution Additional Information
Substratum preferences	Muddy sand, Mud, Under boulders	Physiographic preferences
Biological zone	Upper Infralittoral, Lower Infralittoral	Wave exposure
Tidal stream strength/Water flow		Salinity
Habitat Additional Information	Polluted waters
AMBI Group (Borja et al., 2000)	V
Distribution References	Hayward & Ryland, 1995b, Giangrande, 1997
Reproduction/Life History
Reproductive type	Gonochoristic	Developmental mechanism	Planktotrophic
Reproductive Season	April - July	Reproductive Location	Adult burrow
Reproductive frequency		Regeneration potential	No
Life span	1-2 years	Age at reproductive maturity	1 year
Generation time		Fecundity	11000 eggs per spawning event
Egg/propagule size	160 µ m diameter	Fertilization type	External
Larvae/Juveniles Larval/Juvenile dispersal potential Larval settlement period Duration of larval stage
Additional Information	Larvae develop 0-14 setiger during pelagic planktotrophic period before settling.
Reproduction References	Giangrande, 1997, Gudmundsson, 1985