Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Distribution and life cycle of the North American Spionid polychaeteMarenzelleria viridis (Verrill, 1873) in the Ems estuary

  • Wese and Ems
  • Published:
Netherland Journal of Aquatic Ecology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

In 1983 the first specimens of the North American spionid polychaeteMarenzelleria viridis were found along the European mainland shore in the Ems estuary. Since then, this polychaete has spread over several estuaries around the North Sea and the Baltic. In the inner part of the Ems estuary juveniles were predominantly present in muddy sediments high in the intertidal zone; in more sandy sediments at higher salinities juveniles and adults co-occured. Detailed information was obtained at a muddy and at a sandy station.

Gametes were present in the coelomic fluid from November through March. In May new recruits were found in the sediment samples, reaching densities of over 105 M−2 at the muddy station, andc. 2000 m−2 at the sandy station. During summer, densities decreased at the muddy station, coinciding with a density increase at the sandy station, suggesting migration of juveniles from a nursery to the adult habitat. Cage experiments showed that the decrease of juveniles at the muddy station could be attributed to migration and not to mortality due to predation.

At the sandy habitat palps and anterior parts ofM. viridis made up 4–11% of the stomach content of juvenile plaice (Pleuronectes platessa). In juvenile flounder (Platichthys flesus) only in Aprilc. 10% of the stomach content consisted ofM. viridis.

During 1983–1990 increasing densities ofM. viridis at the sandy habitat coincided with a reduced abundance ofNereis diversicolor, however, this inverse relationship was not found to be statistically significant. Density fluctuations ofM. viridis andCorophium volutator showed a significant positive relationship, the cause of which is not yet understood.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • ARNDT, E.A. and H.W. NEHLS, 1964. Nahrungsuntersuchungen an Postlarvalstadien und Jungtieren vonPleuronectes flesus L. undPleuronectes platessa L. in der äusseren Wismarer Bucht. Zeitschr. Fischerei N.F., 12: 45–73.

    Google Scholar 

  • ATKINS, S.M., A.M. JONES and P.R. GARWOOD, 1987. The ecology and reproduction cycle of a population ofMarenzelleria viridis (Annelida: Polychaeta: Spionidae) in the Tay Estuary. Proc. Royal Soc Edinburgh, 92B: 311–322.

    Google Scholar 

  • BEUKEMA, J.J. and J. DE VLAS, 1989. Tidal-current transport of thread-drifting postlarval juveniles of the bivalveMacoma balthica from the Wadden Sea to the North Sea. Mar. Ecol. Progr. Ser., 52: 193–200.

    Google Scholar 

  • BICK, A. and R. BURCKHARDT, 1989. Erstnachweis vonMarenzelleria viridis (Polychaeta, Spionidae) für den Ostseeraum, mit einem Bestimmungsschlüssel der Spioniden der Ostsee. Mitt. Zool. Mus Berl., 65: 237–247.

    Google Scholar 

  • BÖHME, B. 1989. Bestandsaufnahmen des eulitoralen Makrobenthos im Ems-Dollart-Ästuar. Niedersächsisches Landesamt für Wasserwirtschaft, Forschungsstelle Küste, Norderney, pp. 29+figs.

    Google Scholar 

  • DAUER, D.M., G.H. TOURTELLOTTE and H.R. BARKER Jr., 1980. Nocturnal swimming ofScolecolepides viridis (Polychaeta: Spionidae). Estuaries, 3: 148–149.

    Google Scholar 

  • DAUER, D.M., C.A. MAYBURY and R.M. EWING, 1981. Feeding behavior and general ecology of several spionid polychaetes from the Chesapeake Bay. J. exp. mar. Biol. Ecol. 54: 21–38.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • DEKKER, R., 1991.Marenzelleria viridis (Polychaeta: Spionidae): uitbreiding, van het areaal in Nederland. Het Zeepaard, 51: 101–104 (in Dutch)

    Google Scholar 

  • DE VLAS, J., 1979. Secondary production by tail regeneration in a tidal flat population of lugworms (Arenicola marina), cropped by flatfish. Neth. J. Sea Res., 13: 362–393.

    Google Scholar 

  • DE VLAS, J. 1985. Secondary production by siphon regeneration in a tidal flat population ofMacoma balthica. Neth. J. Sea Res., 19: 147–164.

    Google Scholar 

  • DITTMER, J.-D., 1981. The distribution of subtidal macrobenthos in the estuaries of the rivers Ems and Weser. In: N. Dankers, H. Kühl and W.J. Wolff, Eds. Invertebrates of the Wadden Sea. Balkema, Rotterdam: 188–206.

    Google Scholar 

  • ESSINK, K., W. VISSER and D. BEGEMAN, 1987. Inventarisatie van de makroskopische bodemfauna van de Dollard juni-juli 1985. Rijkswaterstaat, Dienst Getijdewateren, Groningen. Rapport nr. GWAO-87. 155. (in Dutch)

  • ESSINK, K. and H.L. KLEEF, 1988.Marenzelleria viridis (Verrill, 1873)(Polychaeta: Spionidae): a new record from the Ems Estuary (The Netherlands/Federal Republic of Germany). Zoologische Bijdragen (Leiden), 38: 1–13.

    Google Scholar 

  • JAGER, Z., H.L. KLEEF and P. TYDEMAN, 1993. The distribution of O-group flatfish in relation to abiotic factors on the tidal flats in the brackish Dollard (Ems Estuary, Wadden Sea). J Fish Biol. 43 (Suppl. A): 31–43.

    Google Scholar 

  • FARKE, H., P.A.W.J. DE WILDE and E.M. BERGHUIS, 1979. Distribution of juvenile and adultArenicola marina on a tidal mud flat and the importance of nearshore areas for recruitment. Neth. J. Sea Res., 13: 354–361.

    Google Scholar 

  • GEORGE, J.D., 1966. Reproduction and early development of the spionid polychaeteScolecolepides viridis (Verrill). Biol. Bull., 130: 76–93.

    Google Scholar 

  • GRUSZKA, P., 1989.Marenzelleria viridis (Verrill, 1873) (Polychaeta, Spionidae)-a new component of shallow water benthic community in the Southern Baltic. Proc. 11th Baltic Mar. Biol. Symposium, Szczecin, Poland, 1989: 65.

  • HEIBER, W., 1988. Die Faunengemeinschaft einer grossen Stromrinne des Wurster Wattengebietes (Deutsche Bucht). Untersuchungen zur Struktur und Dynamik in Abhängigkeit von Gezeiten und Jahreszyklus, und Folgerungen zu Austauschprozessen zwischen Wattenmeer und offener See. Thesis, Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität, Bonn. 398 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • HOLLAND, A.F., N.K. MOUNTFORD, M.H. HIEGEL, K.R. KAUMEYER and J.A. MIHURSKY, 1980. Influence of predation on infauna abundance in Upper Chesapeake Bay, USA. Mar. Biol. 57: 221–235.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • KINNER, P., D. MAURER and W. LEATHEM, 1974. Benthic invertebrates in Delaware Bay: animal-sediment associations of the dominant species. Int. Revue ges. Hydrobiol., 59: 685–701.

    Google Scholar 

  • KIRKEGAARD, J.B., 1990. Ny amerikansk havborsteorm i Ringkobing Fjord. Flora og Fauna (Ärhus), 96: 63–65 (in Danish).

    Google Scholar 

  • LELING, A., 1986. Untersuchungen zur Häufigkeit und Verteilung des Makrobenthos in der Unterelbe. Diplomarbeit, University of Hamburg (FRG), 117 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • MCLUSKY, D.S., S.C. HULL and M. ELLIOTT, 1993. Variations in the intertidal and subtidal macrofauna and sediments along a salinity gradient in the upper Forth Estuary. Neth. J. Aquat. Ecol., 27: 101–109.

    Google Scholar 

  • NORKKO, A., E. BONSDORFF and C. BOSTRÖM, 1993. Observations of the polychaeteMarenzelleria viridis (Verrill) on a shallow sandy bottom on the South coast of Finland. Memoranda Soc. Fauna Flora Fennica, 69 (in press).

  • OTTO, L., J.T.F. ZIMMERMAN, G.K. FURNES, M. MORK, R. SAETRE and G. BECKER, 1990. Review of the physical oceanography of the North Sea. Neth. J Sea Res., 26: 161–238.

    Google Scholar 

  • PERSSON, L.-E., 1991. The National Swedish Environmental Monitoring Programme (PMK): Soft-bottom macrofauna monitoring off the South coast of Sweden-Annual Report 1990. Naturvardsverket Rapport 3937. Statens Naturvardsverk, Solna.

    Google Scholar 

  • REISE, K., 1985. Tidal Flat Ecology. An experimental approach to species interactions. Ecological Studies 54, Springer-Verlag, Berlin etc., 191 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • SANDERS, H.L., E.M. GOUDSMIT, E.L. MILLS and G.E. HAMPSON, 1962. A study of the intertidal fauna of Barnstaple Harbor, Massachusetts. Limnol. Oceanogr. 7: 63–79.

    Google Scholar 

  • STEUWER, J. and M. KÖRITZ, 1991. Das Benthos der Unterems zwischen Oldersum und Emden. Institut für Chemie und Biologie des Meeres, Universität Oldenburg. pp. 100.

  • VON COSEL, R., J. DÖRJES and U. MÜHLENHARDT-SIEGEL, 1982. Die Amerikanische SchwertmuschelEnsis directus (Conrad) in der Deutschen Bucht I. Zoögeographie und Taxonomie im Vergleich mit den einheimischen Schwertmuschel-Arten. Senckenberg. Marit., 14: 147–173.

    Google Scholar 

  • WHITLATCH, R.B., 1977. Seasonal changes in the community structure of the macrobenthos inhabiting the intertidal sand and mud flats of Barnstaple Harbor. Massachusetts. Biol. Bull., 152: 275–294.

    Google Scholar 

  • WOHLENBERG, E., 1937. Die Wattenmeer-Lebensgemeinschaft im Köningshafen von Sylt. Helgol. wiss. Meeresunters., 1: 1–92.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • WOLFF, W.J. and C.J. SMIT, 1984. The Dutch Wadden Sea. In: P.R. Evans, J.D. Goss-Custard and W.G. Hale, Eds., Coastal waders and wildfowl in winter, pp. 238–252. Cambridge Univ. Press, Cambridge etc.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Rijkswaterstaat, National Institute for Coastal and Marine Management/RIKZ, P. O. Box 207, 9750 AE, Haren, The Netherlands

    Karel Essink & Hans L. Kleef

Authors
  1. Karel Essink
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Hans L. Kleef
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Essink, K., Kleef, H.L. Distribution and life cycle of the North American Spionid polychaeteMarenzelleria viridis (Verrill, 1873) in the Ems estuary. Netherlands Journal of Aquatic Ecology 27, 237–246 (1993). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02334787

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02334787

Keywords

Search

Navigation