Effects of Temperature, Salinity and Substrate on Distribution of Clymenella Torquata (Leidy), Polychaeta

Abstract

The tube building polychaete worm, Clymenella torquata, occurs on the Atlantic coast of North America in estuarine situations. Investigations of the physical environment and the density of the worm populations in the Newport River estuary, North Carolina, showed that the species is found in greatest numbers near low water, in areas where the median particle size of the substrate is between 0.2 and 0.32 mm and where the salinity remains above 25%. From laboratory experiments on the survival of worms under controlled conditions a 50% lethal temperature of 39.2°C was recorded; and 15% salinity resulted in a 50% lethal time of 45 hr. The combined effects of temperature and salinity were tested. The efficiency of tube building under different conditions of temperature and salinity and with substrate particles of various sizes was tested and shown to be at a maximum at 25°C and 35% salinity using particles between 0.25 and 0.42 mm in diameter.

Population structure, growth and distribution of Lingula anatina (Brachiopoda) in Queensland, Australia

“…This view disregards numerous reports concerning a variety of animal groups with specific preferences well within the range of particle diameters discussed here (e.g. Kenny, 1969;Lee, 1972).…”

An ecological survey of a sandy beach

“…-or investigations into the factors affecting the distribution of one or a few species [Cubit, 1969;Kenny, 1969].…”