Additional information
provided by World Register of Marine Species
The L. conchilega reefs can be visualised using advanced remote sensing techniques, see Degraer et al (2008).
Degraer, S.; Moerkerke, G.; Rabaut, M.; Van hoey, G.; Du four, I.; Vincx, M.; Henriet, J.; Van lancker, V. (2008). Very-high resolution side-scan sonar mapping of biogenic reefs of the tube-worm Lanice conchilega. Remote Sensing of Environment. 112(8), 3323-3328.
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Additional information
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The impact of bottom fisheries on the Lanice-reefs has been quantified in Rabaut et al. (2008).
Rabaut, M.; Braeckman, U.; Hendrickx, F.; Vincx, M.; Degraer, S. (2008). Experimental beam-trawling in Lanice conchilega reefs: Impact on the associated fauna. Fisheries Research. 90(1-3): 209-216.
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Biology
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The sexes are separate and breeding occurs in spring and summer. The larvae have a long planktonic life, lasting about two months, and have been found in the period between April and August. This polychacte lives in its straight tube that protrudes several centimetres from the sediment. The long tentacles are extended from the top for collecting particles. During collecting they are supported by fringe-like extensions of the tube. In case of danger L. conchilega quickly retracts in the tube. When damaged or covered by sediment, the animal rebuilds or extends its tube. This enables L. conchilega to survive in unstable deposits or areas with strong sedimentation. L. conchilega is a selective deposit feeder, ingesting foraminiferans, ciliates, copepods, algae and faeces of echinoderms and molluscs. Laboratory experiments revealed that filter feeding also plays a very important role in its nutrition. High population densities of L. conchilega are attributed to the combination of periodically high concentrations of suspended matter and the ability to utilize different food sources. L. conchilega is sensitive to low temperatures and therefore shows low densities in the area of the Wadden Sea after cold winters.
Holtmann, S.E.; Groenewold, A.; Schrader, K.H.M.; Asjes, J.; Craeymeersch, J.A.; Duineveld, G.C.A.; van Bostelen, A.J.; van der Meer, J. (1996). Atlas of the zoobenthos of the Dutch continental shelf. Ministry of Transport, Public Works and Water Management: Rijswijk, The Netherlands. ISBN 90-369-4301-9. 243 pp.
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Description
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A tube-living bristle worm whose body consists of two parts: a swollen anterior end with a reduced head and specially formed segments and a narrowed posterior end. The head has numerous active feeding tentacles. Three pairs of bright-red gills are present on the first three segments behind the head. Measures up to 300 mm long. The tube consists of medium-sized to large sand grains with a characteristic fan shape at the top. Several tubes together can form so-called ‘sand reefs’.
Degraer, S.; Wittoeck, J.; Appeltans, W.; Cooreman, K.; Deprez, T.; Hillewaert, H.; Hostens, K.; Mees, J.; Vanden Berghe, E.; Vincx, M. (2006). The macrobenthos atlas of the Belgian part of the North Sea. Belgian Science Policy. D/2005/1191/3. ISBN 90-810081-6-1. 164 pp.
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Distribution
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L. conchilega is widely distributed in the area, i.e. from the tidal estuaries to the Dogger Bank in the north. Locally it is found with extremely large numbers (over 3000 ind./m²). The highest densities are found north of the Wadden islands, from Terschelling to the eastern boundary of the Dutch sector of the North Sea. When living in dense patches, the species can form an important part of the total biomass of an area.
Holtmann, S.E.; Groenewold, A.; Schrader, K.H.M.; Asjes, J.; Craeymeersch, J.A.; Duineveld, G.C.A.; van Bostelen, A.J.; van der Meer, J. (1996). Atlas of the zoobenthos of the Dutch continental shelf. Ministry of Transport, Public Works and Water Management: Rijswijk, The Netherlands. ISBN 90-369-4301-9. 243 pp.
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Distribution
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Lanice conchilega is widely distributed on the Belgian part of the North Sea. However, the frequency of occurrence was the highest in the near-coastal zone in both periods. Whereas the species occurred along the entire coast in the 1976-1986 period, Lanice conchilega appeared to be practically absent in the eastern coastal zone in the 1994-2001 period. In both periods densities up to 1,000s ind./m2 were observed with a maximum density of about 10,000 ind./m2 in the 1994-2001 period.
Degraer, S.; Wittoeck, J.; Appeltans, W.; Cooreman, K.; Deprez, T.; Hillewaert, H.; Hostens, K.; Mees, J.; Vanden Berghe, E.; Vincx, M. (2006). The macrobenthos atlas of the Belgian part of the North Sea. Belgian Science Policy. D/2005/1191/3. ISBN 90-810081-6-1. 164 pp.
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Ecology
provided by World Register of Marine Species
For more information on hydrodynamic influences of L. lanice, see Dittmann (1999), Eckman (1983), Heuers et al (1983).
- Eckman, James E. 1983. Hydrodynamic processes affecting benthic recruitment. Limnology and Oceanography 28(2): 241-257.
- Dittmann, S., 1999. Biotic interactions in a Lanice conchilega-dominated tidal flat. In: Dittmann, S.s (Ed.), The Wadden Sea ecosystem: stability properties and mechanisms, pp. 153-162.
- Heuers, J., Jaklin, S., Zühlke, R., Dittmann, S., Günther, C.P., Hildebrandt, H., Grimm, V., 1998. A model on the distribution and abundance of the tube-building polychaete Lanice conchilega. Pallas, 207–215
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Ecology
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The influence on faunal abundance, species richness and species composition has been proved based on a long-term dataset, see Rabaut et al (2007), Van Hoey et al (2008).
- Rabaut, M., Guilini, K., Van Hoey, G., Magda, V., Degraer, S., 2007. A bio-engineered soft-bottom environment: The impact of Lanice conchilega on the benthic species-specific densities and community structure. Estuar. Coast. Shelf Sci. 75, 525-536.
- Van Hoey, G.; Guilini, K.; Rabaut, M.; Vincx, M.; Degraer, S. (2008). Ecological implications of the presence of the tube-building polychaete Lanice conchilega on soft-bottom benthic ecosystems. Marine Biology. 154(6): 1009-1019.
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Ecology
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In intertidal areas, the tube patches are known to have consequences for the distribution and abundance of infaunal species by influencing the habitat structure, see Callaway ( 2006), Carey (1987), Feral (1989), Zuhlke (2001), Zuhlke et al. (1998).
- Callaway, U. (2008). Shorebirds defy gravity to get a drop to eat. New Scientist 198(2657):16.
- Feral, P., 1989. Biosedimentological implications of the polychaete Lanice conchilega (Pallas) on the intertidal zone of two Norman sandy shores (France). B. Soc. Geol. Fr. 5, 1193-1200.
- Zuhlke, R., 2001. Polychaete tubes create ephemeral community patterns: Lanice conchilega (Pallas, 1766) associations studied over six years. J. Sea Res. 46, 261-272.
- Zuhlke, R., Blome, D., Heinz van Bernem, K., Dittmann, S., 1998. Effects of the tube-building polychaete Lanice conchilega (Pallas) on benthic macrofauna and nematodes in an intertidal sandflat. Senckenb. Marit. 29, 131-138.
- Carey, D.A., 1987. Sedimentological effects and palaeoecological implications of the tube-building polychaete Lanice conchilega Pallas. Sedimentology 34, 49-66.
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Ecology
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Recently, scientific evidence showed that L. conchilega qualifies as reef builder under the definition of the Habitats Directive.
Rabaut, Marijn; Vincx, Magda; Degraer, Steven. (2008). Do Lanice conchilega (sandmason) aggregations classify as reefs? Quantifying habitat modifying effects. Helgoland Marine Research. 63(1): 37-46.
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Ecology
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The importance of L. conchilega for juvenile flatfishes was described in Vanaverbeke et al (2009).
Vanaverbeke, J.; Braeckman, U.; Claus, S.; Courtens, W.; De Hauwere, N.; Degraer, S.; Deneudt, K.; Goffin, A.; Mees, J.; Merckx, B.; Provoost, P.; Rabaut, M.; Soetaert, K.; Stienen, E.; Vincx, M. (2009). Long-term data from the Belgian Continental Shelf in the framework of science-based management of the coastal North Sea: Report of the WestBanks integrative workshop, October 2008. Belgian Science Policy: Brussel. 23 pp.
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Habitat
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L. conchilega mainly lives in mixed sand bottoms and rarely in muddy bottoms.
Holtmann, S.E.; Groenewold, A.; Schrader, K.H.M.; Asjes, J.; Craeymeersch, J.A.; Duineveld, G.C.A.; van Bostelen, A.J.; van der Meer, J. (1996). Atlas of the zoobenthos of the Dutch continental shelf. Ministry of Transport, Public Works and Water Management: Rijswijk, The Netherlands. ISBN 90-369-4301-9. 243 pp.
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Habitat
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Lanice conchilega is found in various sediments but displays a preference for fine to medium-grained sediments (100 to 500 µm) with a relatively high mud content (10 to 40%).
Degraer, S.; Wittoeck, J.; Appeltans, W.; Cooreman, K.; Deprez, T.; Hillewaert, H.; Hostens, K.; Mees, J.; Vanden Berghe, E.; Vincx, M. (2006). The macrobenthos atlas of the Belgian part of the North Sea. Belgian Science Policy. D/2005/1191/3. ISBN 90-810081-6-1. 164 pp.
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Morphology
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For more information on the physiology and tube structure see Jones and Jago (1993) and Ziegelmeier (1952).
- Jones S.E. & Jago C.F. (1993). In situ assessment of modification of sediment properties by burrowing invertebrates. Marine Biology, 115, 1, 133-142.
- Ziegelmeier, E., 1952. Beobachtungen über den Röhrenbau von Lanice conchilega (Pallas) im Experiment und am natürlichen Standort. Helgol. Wiss. Meeresunters., 108–129.
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Morphology
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L. conchilega has an elongated body, consisting of two regions. The swollen front region has hair-like as well as hooked chaetae; the long, slender tail region only hooked ones. The species can reach a length of up to 150 mm with up to 300 segments. The head bears a dense tuft of long, thin tentacles. The first segment projects forwards, forming two lobes at both sides of the head. The next three segments carry branched gills. The worm is yellowish, pink or brown coloured with blood-red gills and white tentacles. L. conchilega builds a characteristic tube, consisting of cemented sand grains and shell fragments and with a typical fringe at the top end (Hartmann-Schröder, 1971; Holthe, 1986; Fish & Fish, 1989; Hayward & Ryland, 1990).
Holtmann, S.E.; Groenewold, A.; Schrader, K.H.M.; Asjes, J.; Craeymeersch, J.A.; Duineveld, G.C.A.; van Bostelen, A.J.; van der Meer, J. (1996). Atlas of the zoobenthos of the Dutch continental shelf. Ministry of Transport, Public Works and Water Management: Rijswijk, The Netherlands. ISBN 90-369-4301-9. 243 pp.
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