Ecology and distribution of the Diurodrilidae (Polychaeta), with redescription of Diurodrilus benazii
Villora-Moreno, S. (1996). Ecology and distribution of the Diurodrilidae (Polychaeta), with redescription of Diurodrilus benazii. Cah. Biol. Mar. 37(1): 99-108
In: Cahiers de Biologie Marine. Station Biologique de Roscoff: Paris. ISSN 0007-9723; e-ISSN 2262-3094, more
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| Abstract |
The ecology and distribution of Diurodrilus species have been studied after a bibliographic review. The species of this genus are often restricted to the upper moist sand substratum (medium water level, D. subterraneus, D. ankeli, and D. benazzii), or to the lower midlittoral and upper sublittoral (D. minimus, and D. dohrni) The ecology and distribution of Diurodrilus species have been studied after a bibliographic review. The species of this genus are often restricted to the upper moist sand substratum (medium water level, D. subterraneus, D. ankeli, and D. benazzii), or to the lower midlittoral and upper sublittoral (D. minimus, and D. dohrni). In natural environments a single species occurs at each horizontal level. The distribution pattern between upper and lower levels may be controlled by physical factors. Interspecific competition between congeneric species of Diurodrilus may be considered as a possible cause controlling populations within each horizontal sandy beach level. It is possible to identify morphological differences between species inhabiting each horizontal level of a sandy beach. In the lower level, always scoured by the waves, Diurodrilus minimus and D. dohrni have well developed toes, reacting with adhesion to increased water currents, while in the more stable upper level, D. benazzii and D. subterraneus display reduced adhesive toes, both in size and number. Diurodrilus benazzii was collected from the midlittoral phreatic system in a sandy beach at the Gulf of Valencia (W. Mediterranean). Since no information is available on taxonomical characters of D. benazzii, e.g., the sensorial pattern, ciliophores, or ventral ciliation, this paper provides a redescription of the species, comparing the taxonomically relevant characters of all known Diurodrilus species.). In natural environments a single species occurs at each horizontal level. The distribution pattern between upper and lower levels may be controlled by physical factors. Interspecific competition between congeneric species of Diurodrilus may be considered as a possible cause controlling populations within each horizontal sandy beach level. It is possible to identify morphological differences between species inhabiting each horizontal level of a sandy beach. In the lower level, always scoured by the waves, Diurodrilus minimus and D. dohrni have well developed toes, reacting with adhesion to increased water currents, while in the more stable upper level, D. benazzii and D. subterraneus display reduced adhesive toes, both in size and number. Diurodrilus benazzii was collected from the midlittoral phreatic system in a sandy beach at the Gulf of Valencia (W. Mediterranean). Since no information is available on taxonomical characters of D. benazzii, e.g., the sensorial pattern, ciliophores, or ventral ciliation, this paper provides a redescription of the species, comparing the taxonomically relevant characters of all known Diurodrilus species. |
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